Young women are being held back from participating in sport at school due to taboos around periods, new research suggests.
In a survey of 2,000 adult women, almost half (46%) stated that they had used their periods as an excuse to skip PE classes when they were younger, even when they felt well enough to take part.
The top reason given for skipping sports classes was a fear of leaking, with two in five (39%) admitting that this was a serious concern for them.
Around a quarter of women (24%) also said they excused themselves because they were scared of their sanitary pads being visible to others or slipping around as they exercised.
The research was conducted by period education initiate Betty For Schools to mark Women’s Sport Week (19-25 June).
In light of the findings, the initiative is launching a campaign to encourage parents and teachers to talk to children more about periods and exercise.
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The survey uncovered that periods themselves would not stand in the way of girls participating in sport.
Fewer than one in five (18%) actually felt too tired or in too much pain to take part in exercise, suggesting that embarrassment rather than physical concerns were the major barrier to participation.
However, women’s experiences of periods are all different.
Half (50%) of the women surveyed said they had experienced periods that were too heavy or painful to take part in sport at some point in their lives.
Whether they chose to opt out or not, almost two thirds (63%) of those polled said they dreaded PE lessons while on their periods.
The reluctance can be largely attributed to the pervading social taboos around periods, with three in four (74%) women stating that period shame was one of the main barriers to girls participating in sports in school.
Commenting on the findings, Sam Quek, England and GB Hockey player, said: “For me, sport and exercise are a huge part of life. I find it really sad that periods – something all women experience for a big part of our lives – are creating a barrier to sport for so many.
“We have to work to break down taboos around periods – this starts with elite sportswomen being more open and honest, with schools creating the environment where girls can talk about the changes the bodies are going through and education that empowers us all to know and understand our bodies better.”
The importance of better education about periods for young women was something the majority of respondents emphatically agreed upon. Over two thirds (68%) said that if girls were better educated about periods and how they affect their bodies, they wouldn’t be so reluctant to take part in sports at school.
Significantly, three out of five (59%) women agreed that avoiding PE in school because of periods can negatively impact the way girls feel about physical exercise and sport into adulthood.
This suggests that the habits we develop around PE and sport in school can go on to form the basis of our attitudes to exercise in later life.
Becky Hipkiss, education manager at Betty For Schools, said: “We know the value of exercise for our bodies and our minds at all ages and it’s really worrying that so many girls are finding that the weight of taboo around periods prevents them from participating in sports.
“More needs to be done to teach young girls about the benefits of exercise and to help them overcome the embarrassment about this perfectly natural time of the month.
“This has to start at school, with PE teachers being understanding of different girl’s needs, but also creating a comfortable environment in which girls feel empowered to work within the changes they experience each month.
“Girls also need to be wearing the right size and type of products which mean they can exercise without fear of leaking.”
Free betty for schools PSHE resources for teachers are available to download at bettyforschools.co.uk.
The website also includes top tips for parents and teachers on how to tackle conversations with confidence about periods and exercise and Sam Quek’s personal advice on how to handle sport and exercise during your period.
11 Questions Women Have About Their Periods
Why Is My Period Heavy?(01 of11)
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According to Dr. Suzanne Wong of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, and associate professor at the University of Toronto Department of Medicine, there a several reasons as to why you can get an extremely heavy period. "Periods can be heavy in women with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids or polyps or a thickened uterus called Adenomyosis," Wong tells The Huffington Post Canada. Heavy bleeding has also been associated with a genetic bleeding condition called "von willebrand’s disease" in adolescence. Both scenarios should be examined by your doctor. Perimenopausal hormone shifts can also cause heavy bleeding in women between the ages of 41 and 51. Wong notes that periods during perimenopause may also be irregular before they cease all together. (credit:Amy Guip via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Too Light?(02 of11)
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Unlike extremely heavy periods, which can signal other health issues, light periods aren't as much of a concern. "The normal amount of bleeding is variable and ranges from light to heavy depending on the woman," Wong explains. As long as your periods are regularly occurring (every 23 to 35 days) there should be no concern. "If the amount of flow changes to become lighter it may represent a slight hormonal shift that is probably of no significance," Wong says. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Late?(03 of11)
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If pregnancy is not a possibility, a late period can usually be explained by a hormonal change. Factors like changes in weight, emotional stress, eating disorders, high performance athletics or having polycystic ovarian disease can cause women to have a delayed or missed period. "If you miss one period, this means that you did not ovulate that month and there should be no concern if they return to a normal pattern," Wong notes. If you aren't already keeping track of your period, Wong recommends getting a calendar or an app to do so. That way, if your periods are late (occurring at intervals greater than 35 days) persistently over six months, you'll know and be able to show your doctor. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Early?(04 of11)
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Just like late periods, early periods usually have a hormonal cause including stress, polycystic ovarian disease or thyroid hormone abnormality, says Wong. And abnormal spotting or bleeding can also be mistaken for an earlier period — if you are concerned, check with your doctor. (credit:LuminaStock via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Brownish In Colour?(05 of11)
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Brown coloured blood is common during the final days of your period. According to Wong, this is a result of the blood that has been settled in the uterus being expelled. (credit:gpointstudio via Getty Images)
Why Did I Miss My Period?(06 of11)
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"Missing a solitary period is likely from a temporary hormonal imbalance, usually caused by stress," says Wong. But birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring and IUD can also cause very light or non-existent bleeding. If your periods become regular again after a missed period, then there should be no cause for alarm. However, if you regularly miss periods or have an irregular bleeding pattern, you could be experiencing hormonal issues caused by stress, abnormal thyroid levels, or polycystic disease. As a reminder, if your period is irregular you should consult your doctor. (credit:Marjan_Apostolovic via Getty Images)
Why Is My Period Lasting More Than Seven Days?(07 of11)
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Periods can last anywhere between two and seven days, but anything more than this is considered a prolonged period. "If you have periods lasting more than seven days on a regular basis, you should contact your doctor," says Wong. Prolonged periods are often associated with heavy periods, and can lead to iron deficiency anemia that will affect your overall health. (credit:gldburger via Getty Images)
Why Am I Getting My Period Twice, While On The Pill?(08 of11)
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According to Wong, this is actually a normal side effect of starting a new birth control pill, especially on that is low dose and is referred to as "break through bleeding." If this is happening in the middle of the cycle, then it is likely hormonal and of no concern. But if it persists more than three months, Wong recommends seeing a doctor to adjust your medication and rule out other causes such as uterine/cervical polyps, and infection. It is also advised to get an updated pap smear and cervical cancer screening in this scenario. (credit:SCIENCE SOURCE via Getty Images)
Why Did I Start Spotting Early?(09 of11)
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Spotting can be a side effect of being on a birth control pill, or using a copper IUD, Wong explains. Spotting can be due to infections (STDs) and, or more concern, a sign of cervical cancer. Harmless causes of vaginal spotting between periods can also include polyps on the cervix or a condition called "cervical ectropion," which are sensitive cells that protrude on the exposed surface of the cervix and are prone to infection and abrasions, Wong explains. Your doctor should be able to detect both of these conditions during a pap smear. (credit:Dorling Kindersley via Getty Images)
Why Am I Clotting?(10 of11)
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"Clotting can be a sign that your periods are very heavy," says Wong. (Check out the heavy periods section for more information). (credit:PhotoAlto/Odilon Dimier via Getty Images)
Why Am I Pooping A Lot More?(11 of11)
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During your period, the lining of your uterus produces a natural chemical called prostaglandins, Wong says. Prostaglandins causes small contractions of the uterus to help shed the lining during your period which can cause cramping. It also affects the intestines and can increase movement of the bowel, which results in more frequent bowel movements and sometimes, diarrhea. (credit:Vast Photography via Getty Images)