CHUMS ON THE RUN
There are several challenges a female athlete faces when she’s on her period, but does it affect her performance? Let’s find out.
It’s not as easy –
There’s no evidence to prove how menstruation impacts athletic performance, although some say that the middle of the cycle is easiest for women. For instance, if a woman’s menstrual cycle is 28 days long, it is the first five days when the flow occurs. The first 14 days are called the follicular phase, when the egg is building up. Now this is the time when female athletes have to be particularly careful, since they are at a higher risk of getting tissue injuries, including tears of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee.
The next 14 days, called the luteal phase, is when the uterus is prepared to accept the fertilised egg. This time is not as great for athletic performance, since the body produces higher levels of oestrogen. And in case an athlete has to participate in a sporting event, she must load up on carbs. In a nutshell, this is a tough time for female athletes!
So how do female athletes manage their periods?
This brings us to something critical: how easy or difficult is it for female athletes to manage their periods?
- Some female athletes also use birth control pills to manipulate their periods, but it is advised not to pop these pills right before an event, since it could lead to decreased performance level.
- There’s another way female athletes manage their periods, and that’s by using a period tracker. Tracking your menstrual cycle simply means keeping a record of when you’re menstruating and documenting other information related to your cycle. You have to do this with a calendar and pen, but now many great period-tracking apps make the job easy.
- It’s a misconception that you shouldn’t play sports during your periods. Periods are natural. Why should it stop you from playing? Instead, if you challenge yourself to play or be out of your comfort zone during periods, it helps you discover how strong your body actually is.
HOW WOMEN ATHLETES CAN MAINTAIN A HYGENIC PERIOD:
Choose tampons over pads for high levels of hygiene
- The volume is less, they are mostly made of cotton, they don’t leak and they can be worn during trainings or playing the game as they don’t get wet, unlike sanitary napkins.
If not tampons and pads, go for eco-friendly menstrual cups
- For women who are open to exploring new options, there are menstrual cups that need to be injected inside the vagina to collect the blood. They can be washed and reused.
Change your sanitary pad/napkin on a regular basis
- In order to ensure vaginal hygiene and overall health, changing your sanitary pad every 4- 6 hours is advised.
Wash yourself well
- When you are on your period, it is of the utmost importance that you wash your vagina regularly and thoroughly.
Use Clean and Comfortable underwear
- As important as it is to change your pads or sanitary napkins regularly, comfort too plays an equally important role during your periods.
Avoid soaps or vaginal hygiene products
- The vagina has its own cleaning mechanism that works in a very fine balance of good and bad bacteria. So, while it is important to wash regularly during this time, all you need to use is some warm water.
