The Female
Athlete’s Body
Series.

 

Part I: Erasing the Shame Behind Periods

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Maybe you’ve heard these terms: Riding the Crimson Wave, Aunt Flo Came to Town, Shark Week, Walking the Red Carpet, a Crime Scene. Yes, we’re talking about the menstrual cycle.

Young female gymnasts: Whether you’ve started or not, let’s erase the shame around your period! Normalizing this conversation comes with being informed, open and prepared.

GKC asked gymnasts (current and former) to recall their experiences as well as provide advice for the younger generation.

“A” is a former gymnast and college student, age 22
“B” is a current teenage gymnast
“C” is a coach, age 29

GKC: I've heard so many panic stories about figuring out how to wear a tampon when your period starts and the anxiety it can create. Do you think it's a good idea to practice BEFORE your first period to prepare?

A: Everyone has their own fears and anxieties about their first period, and about using tampons over pads in general. Unfortunately, gymnasts don't have the option of preferring to wear a pad! I personally was never scared of the thought of putting a tampon in -- and to prove it, I did practice, a good couple years before I had ever gotten my period. I was about 11, finally in the big girls' cabin at Woodward, and I had one of my friends who had already gotten her period show me how to put one in. I remember it being exciting and thrilling to try because the actual period wasn't an issue yet. Then when I actually did get it a couple years later, I was fully prepared and had no anxiety or trouble putting it in.

B: I don’t actually use tampons, mostly because I’m way too scared of putting one in. However, I’ve heard that putting in a tampon when you’re not on your period is really painful. So, I wouldn’t recommend practicing putting one in, but I think that you should definitely know how to put one in.

C: I wish I did – I got mine at my grand parent’s beach house and I remember crying in the bathroom while my mom tried to explain it to me through the door.
*It has been suggested to use a lubricant when first using tampons*


GKC: What would you like to share about your personal experience with your period and wearing tampons? What was your feminine product of choice?

A: I'm the type of person that likes to just put a tampon in and leave it in for as long as possible so I can basically just pretend my period doesn't even exist. I have always preferred tampons over pads for the ease, comfort, and lack of mess, and the security it offers. I recently started using a Diva cup, but I have also been retired from gymnastics for about 8 years. I find it pretty comfortable though, and it stays in fine when I do other types of exercise. I really only use it when I'm going to be home or close to home all day though, because the idea of having to change a diva cup in a public bathroom is definitely not something I ever want to have to deal with.

B: I use pads, rarely tampons. If I’m going swimming or something then I’ll suffer through a tampon, but I’m just not a fan of them.

C: I always wore tampons, the small compact ones to hide in my gym bag if need be. When I started my period I still only wore briefs with my leotard, I thought it would draw attention if I started wearing shorts out of the blue. I began wearing shorts later.


GKC: What advice can you share to young girls who are mature enough to understand what a menstrual cycle is and what to expect?

A: Don't be scared of it, and get used to it! It's gonna be around for a loooong time. My best advice would be to download a free period tracking app (I use P Tracker Lite, it was free on the App store!). That way you can track how long your periods last, how much time passes in between cycles, and if you keep track of your data for a couple months, it gives you a pretty accurate estimate of when you can expect to get your next period, so that way you can start wearing a pantyliner a day or two in advance if you want, just to be prepared and to avoid any inconvenient mess if it does happen to come a day or two early. Also, once you have your period consistently, keep an extra leo and tampon or two in your locker at all times. Never know when you (or a friend!) will need a quick change!

B: Honestly, just know that it’s normal and it was going to happen eventually. I like to think about the fact that at any given point, there’s probably one other person in the gym who’s on her period, whether it’s a coach or a gymnast. Also, I think we should normalize talking about our periods more. If a younger girl told me she got her period, I would be more than happy to help! I think that’s also the case with a lot of other women too.

C: It is normal and just another thing we have to deal with as uterus owners. Coaches are always willing to help if you experience an issue with your period during practice. Your body is changing and we understand that and are here to support you so it doesn't disrupt the flow of your training PUN INTENDED.


GKC: How can we normalize talking to parents and coaches about your period? During my time as a coach, I have received numerous texts from parents saying "my daughter started her period, she doesn't want to come in to practice, she's uncomfortable.. embarrassed... etc.. and they almost always add "don't tell her I told you, she would kill me!"

A: I think coaches and parents should share their period stories with the young girls! Sure, it's embarrassing when you first get it, but if coaches were more open about it, it might encourage the girls to be more confident about it, and normalize it so they at least feel comfortable telling you about it. Also, as a coach, make sure your kids know they can talk to you about period troubles, and you'll actually listen. If they need to take a 10 minute break to change a tampon, let them. If they feel nauseous or too bloated to do something one day, let them sit it out and do something else. Too often in my gymnastics days, myself and my teammates were told that our injuries or illnesses were made up, or they were dismissed completely and we were forced to practice through the pain. I don't think this makes kids stronger or tougher like it is intended to -- it just creates unhealthy habits of hiding pain or discomfort that can manifest in more detrimental and unhealthy habits later on. I've seen this firsthand with so many of my friends and former teammates. Allowing a girl who is struggling with period symptoms to sit out isn't going to make her any worse of a gymnast, but forcing her to push through her pain and discomfort is definitely going to hurt her.

B: I think that maybe the coaches could try talking to the girls as a whole group about their periods. If we normalize talking about it without making a big deal about it, then gymnasts will become more comfortable with it. I also think that it may be helpful to hear from a coach how they dealt with their period when they were athletes.

C: I think we should discuss language with the parents first so they are aware and on board, and then simply talk to the girls at the beginning of a season about how the menstrual cycle is normal, they can tell their coaches if they are in pain or need to use the restroom or even ask us for a tampon if they are caught without. The less we make it seem like something unmentionable, the more likely they are to be honest and still come to practice if they can rather than avoid because they are embarrassed. I wish it had been like that when I was starting.


GKC: What do you do (did you do) if you have your period on competition days?

A: Put a tampon in, set it and forget it! If I had any cramps, take a couple Advil with my breakfast.

B: I just suffer through it. There isn’t really a way to make it stop for one day, so I just made sure I had invisible underwear that matched the color of my competition leo and tried to keep in mind that it would only be inconvenient for around 4 hours.

C: I tried to focus but would go between events to check or change. My first year and a half on my period I was very irregular - sometimes going 60 days without a period and sometimes a 2 week cycle where I was bleeding through the largest size tampon every 30 minutes. I also experienced such insane cramps that I would nearly pass out, writhe on the floor, and vomit unable to keep pain medicine down, so I was in constant fear of that happening in an important practice or before a meet. My mom let my coach know that I was on my period if it fell on a meet so they knew why I was running to the bathroom every so often.


GKC: Do you have any rituals that make you feel better that time of the month? (ex: eat chocolate, wear your favorite pajama bottoms, light candles..)

A: At this point I've had it for about 8 years so I don't really give it any special treatment. But I do sometimes let myself have an extra piece of chocolate or junk food that I would normally limit, and use my period as an excuse. I have also learned that I don't need to viciously deny that my period does make me more emotional. I still despise it when people (aka my mom) point it out and ask if I'm on or getting my period because I'm being extra bitchy or moody (to me doing that is the equivalent of telling a rightfully pissed off woman to "just calm down") but acknowledging that my period does actually have an impact on my emotional state has been helpful in managing those emotions.

B: I don’t really have anything particular that I do, other than just vegging out after practice.

C: I usually have a mental breakdown that I cant explain, and then my period will start the next day and I’m like oh.


GKC: Did you feel self conscious about having to wear a leo in practice while on your period? Were you paranoid that you would "leak?"

A: By the time I got my period, I had switched gyms where they let gymnasts wear shorts/spandex over their leos at practice, so if I felt particularly uncomfortable or self conscious about leaking, I would just throw on a pair of shorts. I haven't been to CP in a while so I don't know if practices have changed regarding the shorts ban over there, but I promise wearing shorts over my leotard occasionally didn't make me any worse of a gymnast. In fact, it probably made me practice better because I had my full range of motion without having to be constantly worried about leaking or having my tampon string show.

B: I don’t particularly find it comfortable to wear a leotard while I’m on my period. As I said before, I wear seamless underwear and the same brand of pads every single time. Wearing underwear can be inconvenient, because I either have a giant wedgie, or it's peeking out from the edges of my leo. However, I just try to trust that the pad will do its job and wear darker colored leo's, so even if it does leak, it’s not horrible.

C: I was paranoid but mostly because I had a young male coach who made comments about our bodies anyways (another story) so I just wanted to avoid any extra attention that embarrassed me.


GKC: Please feel free to share any "bloody" stories (horror or otherwise!!) 

A: One time a friend of mine was wearing a white leotard and was messing around on the parallel bars between events, and I noticed she had a big red stain on her leo between her legs. I remember pointing it out and her sprinting to the locker room in embarrassment. Good thing she had an extra leo and tampon in her locker!

B:  I don’t really have any horrible period stories. However, I would like to note that every year since I got my period (so around 3 now), I’ve been on my period during states and regionals. Luckily, I’m still alive and no big events happened there. 

C: Wasn't a gym day but one time in church my cramps onset so fast that I had to make my dad, brother, and cousin leave with me. I crawled down the hallway past the children’s church and threw up in the bathroom, then rolled on my bedroom floor screaming for 2 hours before I finally fell asleep and was able to keep down pain medicine. 


GKC: What are some nick names for periods.. When I'm on a heavy flow,  like saying "I'm a crime scene."

A: Riding the crimson wave, Aunt Flo came to town, it's Shark Week.... These are all funny ones I've heard, but I don't personally really use any nicknames for it anymore now that it's such a normal part of life. 

B: First of all, I will most definitely be using “crime scene” from now on. I also like to say that I’m walking the red carpet. It sounds more glamorous than it feels!

A: Good ol sentence ender. 

 

Some Take Aways:

1. In your gym bag or locker, one should keep an extra leo, pad/tampons and some advil for cramps.

2. Coaches: get comfortable with addressing periods and create a protocol so the gymnasts feel at ease about talking about it, get on board w/ parents to normalize convos surrounding it as each person’s menstrual cycle has a different effect, especially pertaining to intensity of cramps.

3. While entering puberty, practice using tampons before you start your period and try lubricant (ask your mom or female mentor about which kind) to avoid the pain.

4. Advice for bad cramps: First of all, it's common to experience painful cramps, so don't worry you're not alone, there is no shame, just try to take care of it so you don't miss out on activities. Try getting aspirin (advil works but it is also a blood thinner) in your system as soon as you feel symptoms coming on and a heating pad on the abdomen also is recommended. In more extreme cases see your doctor/gynecologist as they may recommend that you go on the pill. This is a great article from the NY Times about menstrual pain.

5. Read Shay’s nutrition post, it is a great companion piece!

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