How to deal with your period while playing sports
Managing your period can be inconvenient at the best of times, but especially when it’s getting in the way of your everyday life. Whether you have a heavy period that makes you worry about leaks or your period cramps are bad enough to break your concentration, you might think you’re better off cancelling your plans until you’re feeling better.
But for many of us, that would mean losing roughly a week out of every month, making it difficult to maintain a stable exercise routine or join a sports team or club - something lots of people are inspired to do after worldwide sporting events such as the Olympics. And here at Evana, we’re passionate about helping people to manage their periods in a way that doesn’t interrupt their busy lives. So, what’s the solution?
Can you play sports on your period?
The truth is, you can participate in sports and other forms of exercise during your period - but it might take a little more planning. When exercising, it’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself past your limits, and that remains true whether you’re on your period or not. Forcing yourself to exercise when you don’t feel well enough to do so isn’t usually a good idea - but it’s good to know that some tough period symptoms can be alleviated to help you stay active throughout your cycle. We’ll discuss this more in the section below, but first let’s look at the debate of whether or not to exercise on your period.
Interestingly, it’s not just the case that you can exercise while on your period. Doing so can actually be beneficial beyond the usual advantages of physical activity. For example, exercising regularly can help to ease premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and may help to soothe period cramps .
So how can you decide whether you’re well enough to work out? Ultimately, it’s up to you. Exercising on your period is a very personal choice, and your decision might vary from day to day depending on factors like physical symptoms you’re experiencing and your overall state of mind. For example, if you’re feeling very fatigued, you might prefer to take a rest day and recuperate.
It’s also worth noting that some studies suggest a link between the pre-ovulatory (before ovulation) stage of the menstrual cycle and a weakening of the axial cruciate ligament (ACL). This could make you more prone to injuring your ACL during the first fourteen days of your cycle, so it may be worthwhile to lower the intensity of your planned workouts during this time if you notice a similar pattern of injuries yourself.
Of course, everyone is different, so if you’re unsure about whether you should be exercising with your PMS symptoms or cramps, it’s a good idea to speak with a pharmacist or GP for advice.
How to deal with your period during sports
If you’re feeling well but are still a little uncertain about exercising on your period, don’t worry. There are plenty of products out there to help give you the confidence to perform at your best.
Let’s take a look at how different period products can support different functions during sport.
Tampons or menstrual cups
- Can allow you to be more agile and flexible without worrying about pads shifting
- May be a more breathable option for hot and sweaty matches or workout sessions
- Discreet options for sports that involve tight or revealing sportswear.
Pads or period pants
- Can be more comfortable for those who aren’t used to using tampons or menstrual cups
- Offer additional coverage that may feel more reassuring during sports
- Period pants can also be a discreet option for sports involving revealing or tight sportswear.
Either option is a good choice for exercising - it’s just about what’s most comfortable for you. You might also think about doubling up with a tampon and a pad or menstrual cup and period pants if you’re worried about leaking with heavy periods. If you’re aged between 18 and 45 and you have regular, heavy periods, then you may find Evana® Heavy Period Relief Tablets helpful to lessen your flow and allow you to get back to doing the things you enjoy. If it’s period pain that’s holding you back, Ultravana® Period Pain Relief Tablets may be a suitable treatment to help provide relief and enable you to concentrate on your workout. If you’re worried about your periods then we recommend that you speak to a healthcare professional for advice.
If you’ve got a big event coming up such as a competition in your sport, you might also want to consider a prescription period delay treatment. These can help some people with regular periods to delay their bleeding for a short time, making it more convenient to compete and perform without having to worry about periods. If this is something you’re thinking about trying, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist about your options and whether period delay is right for you.
Sources
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-menstrual-syndrome/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/period-pain/
Belanger, Lesley et al. “Anterior cruciate ligament laxity related to the menstrual cycle: an updated systematic review of the literature.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association vol. 57,1 (2013): 76-86. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3581006/
