Periods and Performance: The Unspoken Challenge for Female Athletes
In a world where athletes train for years to achieve Olympic glory, even the smallest factor can be the difference between standing on the podium and falling short. For Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, this factor turned out to be her menstrual cycle. Despite her immense talent and rigorous training, Chanu finished fourth in the women’s 49 kg event at the recent Paris Olympics, narrowly missing a medal. In a moment of vulnerability, she admitted that she was “feeling weak” due to being on the third day of her period, sparking an important conversation about the impact of menstruation on athletic performance.
Breaking the Taboo
The Paris Olympics prides itself on gender equality, boasting an equal number of female and male competitors. Yet, Chanu’s candid admission about her period highlighted a persistent challenge that many female athletes face but seldom discuss publicly. By speaking out, Chanu joined a growing number of sportswomen who are breaking the silence around menstruation and its effects on performance.
One of the earliest and most notable instances of this came from Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui, who missed the podium in the 4×100-metre medley relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In a post-race interview, Fu revealed that she had started her period the night before, leaving her feeling weak and exhausted. Despite her disappointment, Fu’s honesty was widely praised, and she became a symbol of breaking the taboo surrounding menstruation in sports.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle’s Impact
The menstrual cycle is a complex process, consisting of four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Each phase brings hormonal fluctuations that can affect an athlete’s body in various ways. According to a piece from The Conversation, these hormonal changes can lead to symptoms like pain, cramps, fatigue, and insomnia, all of which can hinder athletic performance.
For instance, inflammation tends to rise during ovulation and peaks during menstruation. This inflammation has been linked to lower perceived performance among female athletes. Additionally, the fluctuation of key hormones like estrogen and progesterone can affect muscle activation, metabolism, and body composition, further complicating an athlete’s ability to perform at their best.
A recent study involving football players from the Women’s Super League (WSL) highlighted the increased risk of injury linked to the menstrual cycle. Researchers found that these athletes were six times more likely to suffer muscle injuries during the pre-menstrual phase. Similarly, the risk of injury was five times higher during the early-mid luteal phase compared to when the athletes were menstruating.
Real-Life Consequences
The impact of menstruation on sports performance isn’t just theoretical; many athletes have experienced it firsthand. British Olympic athlete Eilish McColgan, for example, was forced to withdraw from a race in Rome in 2018 after getting her period and subsequently pulling her hamstring. McColgan is certain that her injury was directly related to her menstrual cycle.
Moreover, women are more susceptible than men to certain injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, which some studies suggest could be influenced by the menstrual cycle. The risk of such injuries only adds to the physical and mental toll that menstruation can take on female athletes.
Heavy periods, known as menorrhagia, can exacerbate these challenges by increasing fatigue and affecting an athlete’s mental state. Dr. Priyanka Sharma, a gynecologist at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, explained that during the early days of menstruation, levels of the hormone oxytocin—which helps maintain a positive mood and peak physical condition—dip. Combined with blood loss, this can lead to extreme tiredness, known as period fatigue, which can significantly impact an athlete’s performance.
A Need for Greater Awareness and Research
While the conversation around menstruation in sports is slowly gaining momentum, much remains to be done. Research on how the menstrual cycle affects athletic performance is still limited, and many female athletes feel unprepared to manage its impact. As awareness grows, there is a pressing need for more studies and support systems to help female athletes navigate this natural but often debilitating aspect of their lives.
Mirabai Chanu’s experience at the Paris Olympics serves as a poignant reminder that menstruation is a significant factor in sports—one that can no longer be ignored. As more athletes speak out, the hope is that the sporting world will begin to address this issue more comprehensively, ensuring that female athletes can compete on a truly level playing field.
