Period health is something that impacts the vast majority of people playing netball – and yet it is still something shrouded in embarrassment, a topic many of us avoid discussing.
With over 50% of young girls stopping playing sport once they start their periods, it’s clear that we need to break the stigma and open up conversations around menstrual health within the game.
Our partners NIXI Body Underwear are on a mission to get more people talking about periods within sport – and they recently chatted to three of our amazing athletes to get their thoughts on all things menstrual health.
EDUCATION CAN HELP END THE STIGMA
Razia Quashie, Vitality Rose
I wholeheartedly support the movement to end period poverty and period shame. Information regarding periods is normally deemed to be ‘uncomfortable’ but we need to end period stigma, and education plays a large part in influencing people’s views.
I had my first period in Year 6, which was quite early and still quite scary as I didn’t fully understand what a period was – it was something that was not really spoken about.
Improved access to period education would allow for a better understanding of what a standard period should be and what would be considered abnormal, when we should ask for help. Being fully knowledgeable and having open conversations on how exactly to use period care products would make periods a less daunting experience for those who bleed.
Nowadays I’m very much an open person and happy to share when I’m on my period. The first day of my period is a struggle, I feel very fatigued so I focus a lot on getting through the day / session. The whole staff team male or female are aware of this, being the coach or physio especially with all the training we do.
WE NEED OPEN COMMUNICATION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
Nat Panagarry, Loughborough Lightning NSL
When I was younger, I was never someone who monitored my cycle so I never really knew when my period was about to start. Playing sport a lot and wearing tight shorts or a short dress, there were many times where I would come on my period and not have any pads or tampons with me. I would then be worrying about leaking, having to make a pad with toilet roll, hoping that would be okay whilst I trained or played a match.
I’ve always felt like, as a young woman, it was ingrained in me to manage my period on my own. I think it’s been instilled in me to leave everything at the door and give 100% all the time, even if I was in serious pain and not able to give my full focus. I was worried my teammates or coaches would think I was being dramatic.
However, I would love for this stigma to change. I can’t recommend enough to coaches at the start of the year to remind players that if they have injuries, illness, or female health issues, to always have open communication with them. We need to support young players better to make them feel like they can say they are struggling, and we want girls to know that excessive pain and fatigue aren’t normal. Having these open conversations and normalising coaches talking to players will create open, safe spaces for players of all ages and levels.
PLAY WITH THE POWER OF YOUR CYCLE
Fran Williams, Vitality Rose
The menstrual cycle is such a powerful and amazing natural process and rhythm of being a woman. It affects and influences your hormones, hydration, energy levels and recovery to name a few examples. This is why tracking and understanding your cycle can give us as female athletes an extra edge when it comes to tailoring training or our approach to recovery and nutrition. Personally, I know my body and energy levels require some extra fuelling in the lead up to my period!
I have always tried to be open with our netball support staff about my menstrual cycle, in particular physios and strength and conditioning coaches. As a female-dominated sport, I think it’s important to feel comfortable discussing your cycle and any potential challenges you face with it. Whilst harnessing my menstrual cycle to support my performance as an athlete is great, I also want to ensure my body is functioning well to support me as a woman first!
Learning how my body reacts to training throughout my cycle as well as finding comfortable and easy period products to use, allow me to play netball with full confidence and focus on just enjoying the sport.
Hopefully, with increased conversation and visibility of resources such as NETBALLHer we can create an environment where young players feel comfortable and positive about their periods. I always felt more comfortable the more I shared in this space because often you can discover that challenges you may face with your cycle are similar to those of teammates!
With the right support and the right products, we believe we can help more people keep playing – every day of their cycle. NIXI Body has created leak-proof underwear designed with sport in mind. Their discreet knickers offer next-level protection and 98% of their customers say they feel more confident exercising when they wear them! You can shop NIXI Body here and get 15% off your first order with the code NETBALL15
For expert advice, resources and relatable stories, check out the NETBALLHer website and NETBALLHer Learning Offer.
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