Menstrual Periods, ROAR and IUDs

So, Ive been listening to the audiobook ROAR, and interested in utilizing different phases of my cycle to optimize training however I currently have an IUD... and I don't get a period.  I've been contemplating removing my IUD and then could easily sync my cycle, alternatively could go off basal body temps and see if I can figure out when I ovulate.... other thoughts on how to do this.  I have the mirena so locally released hormone.  

Joyful Jane wrote:

So, Ive been listening to the audiobook ROAR, and interested in utilizing different phases of my cycle to optimize training however I currently have an IUD... and I don't get a period.  I've been contemplating removing my IUD and then could easily sync my cycle, alternatively could go off basal body temps and see if I can figure out when I ovulate.... other thoughts on how to do this.  I have the mirena so locally released hormone.  

I think there are much bigger things you could focus on to better your training. Sleep, getting adequate protein, strength training (if you don’t do that already), etc.
Also there have been one or two papers that have recently come out that state that there is too much variation 1) between women and 2) between one woman’s cycle from month to month to actually have a net positive or negative influence on training.

If you’re using birth control to not have kids and you’re happy with how you feel on this method, I’d look at other training variables that you can adjust. If you hate your iud (unrelated to climbing), get rid of it. 

Joyful Jane wrote:

So, Ive been listening to the audiobook ROAR, and interested in utilizing different phases of my cycle to optimize training however I currently have an IUD... and I don't get a period.  I've been contemplating removing my IUD and then could easily sync my cycle, alternatively could go off basal body temps and see if I can figure out when I ovulate.... other thoughts on how to do this.  I have the mirena so locally released hormone.  

I think once you decide to no longer be on birth control you really do become so much more in tune with your body and I think you can definitely use that to your advantage. Tracking mood, energy Levels etc. I've been off any bc for about 4 years. 

I would try basal temps first and see how it goes (I haven't tried it yet but I hear good things). I'm sure once you start tracking, you'll begin to see consistent patterns/symptoms emerge (mild as they may be) even without bleeding. I've been tracking my own cycle (mood, perceived effort, sleep, performance) for like 7 years and it's been super helpful for me to know how I typically feel/perform during a particular stage. I think it's especially helpful for setting goals/expectations if you have to travel to go climbing but it's also a really wonderful tool for training.

My understanding of the Mirena is that 6 months after placement you should resume ovulating as normal. It’s totally a personal decision but you’re happy with the birth control provided by Mirena I’d go with basal temp or try a cycle tracking app to determine your cycle rather than removing. I personally love the freedom of not getting a period on the Mirena, it means I never have to pack in or pack out sanitary products from the backcountry. Also while some cycles are consistent it’s also totally normal to have varied cycles. Mine can have up to a 10 day difference. If you had consistent cycles before the Mirena you’ll probably be able to nail down your cycle after a couple cycles with basal temp + a tracking app. If you didn’t have consistent cycles pre IUD though you likely still don’t, which could make trying to coordinate training with your cycle tricky. Good luck! Hope you find a solution that works well for you!

If you cannot tell what stage of the cycle you are in, is the cycle really affecting your performance to the extent that it is worth aligning your training to it?

I don't see a downside in trying to track your cycle by basal temperature, maybe you'll get something useful from it in the long term. But, unless your training is already tuned super-precisely, and use have squeezed every possible gain out of it, and are looking for incrementally-smaller gains... IMO you could focus your efforts elsewhere, and get better gains from training. 

I actually had the same experience reading ROAR and same inclination to remove my Mirena. I was lucky I had it removed, as it had been growing into my cervix (rare situation). But I’d also been wanting it out for other reasons. I felt like having been on hormonal birth control since 16, I wanted to know what my cycle was like without extra hormones. Interestingly after about 2 weeks I immediately felt relief from a low level anxiety I’ve suffered from all my life. I had always chocked it up to my C-PTSD but now I know that it was caused by hormonal birth control. With climbing, the benefits have been that I’m able to back off in the days leading up to my period when I’m most prone to soft tissue injury. Also I have felt increasingly more able to give myself space to weather the emotional impacts of PMS when it comes to climbing performance.