While so many taboos are attached to menstruation, playing sports seems to be one of the biggest myths. However, my experience tells me that playing sports while menstruating is normal and can go hand in hand with it. Having periods is normal and a healthy part of being a woman. You can play any sport and engage in any exercise by wearing a pad or a tampon depending on your comfort level. It’s absolutely alright to play sports during your periods. Women/girls who are physically active actually bear their periods better than those who are not. Sometimes, physical activity can even make you feel better, especially if you’re feeling crampy or bloated. According to my mausi, if you have the right type of menstrual protection, you can do anything. In fact, swimming and playing sports may make you feel better. Doing moderate exercises may ease your premenstrual tension and menstrual cramps. It will soothe your pain and will keep a check on your ongoing menstrual mood swings.

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Some elite sportswomen report that they can perform even better than usual around the beginning of their periods. They seem to have extra energy and may be a bit more aggressive than usual even. Playing sports seems to help relieve some premenstrual symptoms too.

Though we need to take a little extra care during our periods if we play sports, it’s very important to maintain a proper diet during your periods as it will energise and strengthen you. A good diet should include food that is rich in calcium, iron and vitamins. Even carbohydrate-rich food should be taken before your periods starts. Keep your body hydrated during your periods as that will enhance your stamina. Hydration can be done by drinking a lot of water and fresh fruit juices. You should keep hot water bands or hot bands to soothe your cramps while playing. Drinking lukewarm water also soothes your menstrual cramps.

All sportswomen should track their menstrual cycles for a year so that they understand the nature and symptoms of their periods. Keeping a calendar will help them to identify their mood swings on various days of their periods. They can plan and work accordingly. It will be useful to mark when your periods are coming on a calendar because some of the medicines for extreme menstrual cramps work best if they are taken before the period pain starts. Many times, women skip their menstrual cycles due to tough and rigorous physical training or due to too much stress. So it is important to keep a menstrual calendar so that if you’re skipping your periods, you can go see your doctor. It may be a sign that your body is going through too much stress or that there is an improper intake of nutrients.

keep-track

We women need to do a little extra planning while on our periods to make sure that we have the right ‘paraphernalia’ so to speak. I have been into sports and dance since my childhood. I’m sharing a few period-time personal care tips based on my experience.

During periods, women need to consider their sports outfits, duration of time away from home and the type of restroom facilities available. Sports outfits should be comfortable and trousers or shorts need not be very tight so that your pad lining doesn’t show up. Dark coloured sports outfits should be used. If you prefer sanitary napkins during your periods, your underwear should be well-fitted and use XL winged pads so that it covers a large area. If you prefer tampons, wear ones with the right absorbency levels and change as directed. I’d suggest you wear both a tampon and a pad while playing so that when you’re done with your activity, you can remove your tampon and still have a fresh pad. This is very useful for those who have heavy flows during their periods. But wear what makes you the most comfortable – a tampon or a pad. I feel using a tampon while doing any exercise or playing is very comfortable because many a time, pads may adjust themselves if you’re bending and stretching a lot. Make sure you change your pad or tampon after a short interval if you’re playing. That will keep you fresh. Also, use hygiene wipes and powder to avoid rashes and to stay fresh.  Practicing these habits will help you in avoiding period smells. If you go on sports trips or even a day trip, I’d suggest for everyone to pack a ‘period kit’ which could include extra underwear, pads, tampons, hygiene wipes, pad disposable bags, hygiene powders and a hand sanitizer. These are easily available in markets. This kit will be of great help if the restroom provided is not adequately stocked.

Period care is personal and what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. So do what makes you comfortable.

Image source: http://theberry.com/2015/05/19/daily-motivation-25-photos-835/

Author : Naina Jha
She works as “Client Servicing Manager” with an advertising agency in Delhi. She has also worked with an NGO, called “Inter College Women’s Association” for 5 years and participates in various social activities.
She blogs here.
Edited by Divya Rosaline

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