Dealing with Periods, On and Off the Court

When that time of the month comes around, the majority of us start feeling cramps and emotional changes. However, we persevere through the pain and don’t let anything get in our way. A major component of this is SPORTS. Just because we are going through this process, does not mean it defines who we are. We are still extremely capable and strong individuals. We do not let our periods get in the way of us doing anything we love.

The hard part of this, though, is dealing with the cycle when participating in any sport. We have the common tampons, pads, and menstrual cups to help us, but it does in fact get in the way. We feel uncomfortable or even afraid that something will happen during a game or competition. This is where we should stop being afraid! As long as we use the necessary products to prevent this from happening, we cannot be afraid to give it our all. We must all come together and support one another because we have all been in that same position.

Personally, I am a competitive golfer. Although I haven’t had to deal with menstruation yet, I am always afraid of the time it does come. What if I get it during a meet? What if I bleed through my white Nike skirt? I don’t want to feel this way, and I want to destigmatize this fear. The key to not feeling this way is to always be prepared, both on and off the court. It is crucial that we always keep a pad with us at all times, starting from the age of 10. For the initial period, pads, in my opinion, are the easiest to learn and use and the most comfortable. However, once you are familiar with your period, it may be more useful to use a tampon or menstrual cup when playing a sport because they last longer and reduce the chance of you bleeding out on your clothes.

Together, if we are prepared, there is nothing to be ashamed of. As per usual, we must continue the cycle of breaking the stigma!