The problem of menstruation in the world of sports. It is still a taboo topic that affects the achievements of sportswomen
Menstruation is an integral part of every woman's life, including athletes. However, the sports world often overlooks the physical and mental challenges associated with menstruation. This often translates into women's performance in sports.
The Olympic Games were not always equal in terms of gender, as women as competitors took part in this sporting event for the first time in Paris in 1900 (there were 22 women out of 997 athletes). This took place four years after the first Olympic Games of the modern era, which were held in Athens. A lot has changed since then. Unfortunately, there are also aspects of women's sport that still need to be taken into consideration. One of them is the topic of menstruation in sports. Statistics resulting from research conducted by the Always brand indicate that as many as 61 percent of female athletes experience period anxietywhich in turn affects the sports results achieved.
By pretending that periods don't exist, we are inadvertently contributing to period anxiety among women who participate in sports. To investigate the issue, Always commissioned pan-European research on female athletes, which found that:
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61% of female athletes experience “period anxiety” that discourages them from playing.
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55% of female athletes feel misunderstood in the sports world because of their periods.
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71% of female athletes say that menstruation remains a taboo in the sports industry.
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4 in 5 (79%) women surveyed believe we need more conversations about periods to help break down barriers for younger generations.
Therefore, it is worth taking appropriate actions to strengthen the position of girls and women so that they can achieve the best results in sports. Due to the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, the campaign “It's a New Period“. Her goal is to make menstruation a common topic and a recognized part of every sport, affecting millions of women around the world.
Always experts share the real experiences of Olympic athletes and develop educational materials for physical education teachers and coaches to create a more positive environment and open dialogue with young athletes.
