When that time of the month comes, you know you're in for torture. Only women can sympathize with other women when menstrual pain strikes. More often than not, the pain becomes so debilitating that we can only spend the day moaning and writing in extreme distress. Our partners can only be tight-lipped about our transformation to monster girl during these seven days of each month, really oblivious to the fact that the pain the monster is feeling inside is more than real.

When you have your period, it takes effort to move, even just to take a shower and prepare breakfast. Any form of exercise is nearly next to impossible to do. Your breasts feel tender that any little movement causes intense soreness. And yet, in what could be the ultimate irony of ironies, new research has shown that exercise alleviates menstrual pain.

Different institutions of higher learning in the United States have found that staying to your workout regimen even when your monthly visitor comes actually helps reduce symptoms of breast tenderness, bloating and cramping commonly associated with PMS and menstrual pain. However, not all forms of exercise are appropriate for the kind of pain you are feeling at a particular period of your workout. Thus, if you suffer from PMS or aches and hurts just before the flow starts, then aerobic exercises are more likely to reduce its associated discomforts. Cardiovascular workouts done at a consistent pace helps resolve issues of pain, tension headaches and mood swings so common days before the period actually comes.

For cramps that occur during your period, some women find that the vigorous exercise alleviates menstrual pain. Thus, high intensity interval training is best reserved during these times when the period cramps become too excruciating. This does not work for all women, however, so it's best that you try if this form of intense exercise alleviates menstrual pain.

One of the common complaints women commonly feel before and during the menstrual period is breast tenderness. To be able to do workouts more effectively despite this condition, a well-fitting sports bra is a good investment. This will allow you to do your workouts with a limited degree of pain.

There are also Yoga exercises that are specifically designed for menstruation. There are Yoga postures or asanas that combine peaceful and restful poses so that the pain that accompanies a menstrual period is eased. In Yoga, strenuous postures such as those that involve standing or inverting the body, as well vigorous extensions are avoided. According to practitioners, however, adhering to a regular Yoga program prevents pre-menstrual tension, cramps, backache and even period irregularities. Poses like the Supine Hero Pose, Cobbler Pose and Wide-Angled Seated Pose are just some of asanas that a woman can do when she has her period.

So the old wives' tales of moving as little as possible during menstruation is actually counterproductive. It may be difficult to do this at first, especially when the pain is excruciating, but that's just one of nature's many paradoxes. You simply just have to exercise the pain away if you want to be free from it.