Heather Watson Puts Australian Open Defeat Down To Her Period: But How Do They Affect Women In Sport?
How Do Periods Affect Women In Sport?
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
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Let's face it, periods are annoying.
But for some of the world's most talented sports people, getting a period is more than a little bit irritating - it can have a serious impact on their career.
British number one tennis player Heather Watson has attributed her defeat in the first round of the Australian Open this week to her period.
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The 22-year-old said she suffered from dizziness, nausea and low energy levels as she lost 6-4 6-0 to Bulgaria's world number 52 Tsvetana Pironkova.
"I think it's just one of these things that I have - girl things," she told BBC Sport.
The 22-year-old's comments have prompted other prominent sports people to come forward about how periods have affected their game in the past.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, former British number one tennis player Annabel Croft touched on the fact that period talk is still a taboo.
“Women's monthly issues seem to be one of those subjects that gets swept under the carpet and is a big secret," she said.
"I think women do suffer in silence."
Tara Moore the current British number five told The Telegraph that her period has fallen during major tournaments for the past six years – and last year she had to play a four-hour match in the middle of it.
Currently tennis players can only take a toilet break once a set, but Moore thinks the sport's governing body should consider changing the rules for women.
“At Wimbledon we have to wear white, so it’s quite a big deal. Especially because male players don’t understand that we have another element to deal with.
“[Bleeding on your uniform] is something you feel quite worried about. If something like that happens it’s mortifying – it’s a nightmare," she added.
And it isn't just professional sportswomen who dread having a period.
Speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, Mags Sikora, co-founder of Period Box said: "Having period definitely influences our ability to take part in sporting activities.
"For many women, ‘that time of the month' is equal to 'time off from the gym' and it is not just about feeling uncomfortable.
"Very often the physical pains don’t let us to participate in any sporting activities, especially certain activities that involve a lot of endurance, such as long distance running.
"I think periods definitely put girls off sport, especially teenage girls, for whom the symptoms are often most disturbing."
Tanya Joseph from Sport England - the people behind the popular This Girl Can campaign - also told us periods can be an issue for younger sports fans.
"Girls at school sometimes cite periods as one of the things that put them off sport but this is lower down the list after their fears about judgement," she said.
"I would say that when it comes to periods for everyday women, it is down to each individual woman and how they affect her.”
So why does having a period affect some women more than others when it comes to exercise?
Dr Sally Norton told us some people become anaemic when on their period, while others experience other symptoms.
"For people who become anemic, their blood count drops and there is good evidence to suggest that people feel more tired around the time of a period," she explained.
"Some women experience bad period pains or cramps during their period - these can be uncomfortable during the day, but also keep some people awake at night, resulting in them feeling more tired than usual the next day."
While exercise is unavoidable for professionals like Watson, for the rest of us it can be tempting to skip our usual class at the gym the week we have a period.
But Dr Norton recommends keeping exercise up during the week of a period, as it provides a welcome distraction.
"The endorphins ('happy hormones') released by exercise also help improve mood and reduce the pain sensations," she added.
In order to feel the best you possible can while on your period, Dr Norton says it's important to eat leafy green veg which are full of iron, keep hydrated and get plenty of sleep.
"Your GP may prescribe the combined contraceptive pill to reduce the amount of pain and bleeding from your periods as well as iron tablets if your blood count has dropped for more heavy periods," she said.
One thing's for sure, the more we talk about periods affecting our every day lives, the less of a taboo the topic becomes.
We have to applaud Heather Watson for her honesty and hope it paves the way for more understanding in the world of sport.
Top 10 Stupid Period Myths
MYTH: Don't exercise when you are on your period (01 of24)
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TRUTH: Run, bike, dance — do whatever you want. These are just some of the so-called "strenuous" activities you can still do while you're on your period. Unless you're in a lot of pain, feel free to exercise or partake in any other type of activity. In fact, some studies even suggest exercising can help with painful periods.
MYTH: Don't go swimming (02 of24)
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TRUTH: There was a time when young girls were told strange things like if they went swimming in the ocean, their period scents would attract sharks, or their tampon would swell with water, causing them to drown. These are pure myths. Tampons, for example, make it easier for women to enjoy swimming or beach days during periods.
MYTH: People can tell when you're on your period (03 of24)
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TRUTH: Unless you're carrying a big red sign that says "it's my time of the month," nobody will know you're on your period. If you're embarrassed about pad lines (even though you can hardly tell), try wearing a tampon. Sometimes, you may also have a period odour. Again, nobody else can smell it. If you are worried, change your tampon or pad more often.
MYTH: Teens shouldn't use tampons(04 of24)
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TRUTH: Tampons are perfectly safe for both teens and adults. If you still haven't used a tampon and you're worried about discomfort, make sure you read the instructions carefully. And no, using tampons doesn't mean you lose your virginity.
MYTH: During your period, you lose a lot of blood(05 of24)
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TRUTH: For the first few hours/days of your period, it may seem like you’re losing a lot blood. On average, women lose about 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of blood, and considering a teen who weighs 110 lbs has about 3,500 ml of blood in her body, you can see the loss isn't that big.
MYTH: A tampon can float away inside your body (06 of24)
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TRUTH: No. Just no. There is no way a tampon can "float" away inside your body. Once you insert a tampon, it will stay there until you have to take it out.
MYTH: Don't wear tampons overnight (07 of24)
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TRUTH: You CAN wear a tampon overnight. Most tampons can be worn for eight hours a day or night, keeping in mind you should change your tampon every four to eight hours.
MYTH: During your period, only sleep on your side (08 of24)
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TRUTH: Again, false. Sleep on your back, front, side, whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you're worried about leaks, try pads and tampons that are meant to be worn overnight.
TRUTH: The key to using tampons is to relax. If you don't get it right the first time, don't worry. Practice makes perfect, even when it comes to tampons.
What it sounds like: A really bad horror film about a group of teens who drive their car out into the woods and get haunted by a ghost. But what you're actually referencing: There are cramps, and yes, blood to deal with, but getting your period isn't a curse of any sort — it's part of being a woman of a certain age. Periods involve our ovaries releasing eggs, while hormonal changes prepare our uteruses for pregnancy. See ... not so scary.
(13 of24)
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What it sounds like: A really cool and urban aunt who likes to listen to hip hop and buy vinyl records But what you're actually referencing: Aunt Flo only visits once a month (a 28-day cycle to be exact). She is kind of uncomfortable, annoying and her conversations never stops flowing...
(14 of24)
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What it sounds like: Your really really really old aunt who has a kind soul. But what you're actually referencing: Similar to her sister Aunt Flo, Aunt Rose seems to be the nicer of the two: Because we all know things like rose petals and rose bushes resemble menstruation.
(15 of24)
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What it sounds like: Like you have a giant wound and you can't stop bleeding. Ever. But what you're actually referencing: You're being pretty literal here, but yes, a period means you're bleeding from your vagina.
(16 of24)
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What it sounds like: A really trendy urban cafe. But what you're actually referencing: The dot/dots that appear on your liner, pad and sometimes on your bed sheets and underwear. Also, dot = period.
(17 of24)
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What it sounds like: Not just any friend, but a really annoying friend you don't like. But what you're actually referencing: Sometimes we try to make the best of what life throws at us by staying positive and remembering our periods can be our friends.
(18 of24)
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What it sounds like: When the plumbing went wrong ... for a week. But what you're actually referencing: Again, the leak refers the constant flow of blood coming out of your body. We also assume people are referring to leaks they get on their pants or bedsheets. The worst.
(19 of24)
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What it sounds like: Time of the month sounds like a hush-hush thing that happens to your body that only you and members of a secret club understand. But what you're actually referencing: TOTM refers to time of the month when your period is taking place — just so we're all on the same page.
(20 of24)
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What it sounds like: A newsletter or a magazine that comes out once a month But what you're actually referencing: To add emphasis that everything is cool with your flow and your period only happens once a month.
(21 of24)
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What it sounds like: Teenage slang But what you're actually referencing: PMS actually stands for premenstrual syndrome, and isn't a synonym for your period at all.
(22 of24)
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What it sounds like: A dirty old cloth you use to wash your dishes and floor But what you're actually referencing: The rag is closely related to the pad or tampon we wear during periods... and how uncomfortable it is. It's also an unfortunate visual.
(23 of24)
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What it sounds like:This river in China! But what you're actually referencing: We're not sure with the obsession of words like "river," "water" or "flow" when it comes to describing your period. Our best guess? The assumption that when a woman is on her period, she is forever bleeding.
(24 of24)
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What it sounds like: It sounds like what it is, the bleeding elevator from the 'The Shining.' But what you're actually referencing: Periods are scary and women bleed and if you see/talk about this blood, something terrible will happen. Get a grip, people — the only thing frightening about periods is using phrases like "the shining" to describe it.