Athletes and periods●

Most athletes, coaches, and school leaders were never taught how the menstrual cycle affects training, or how to spot warning signs when something isn’t right●

Just 9% of recent sports science research has focused on women, compared with 71% on men, which leaves coaches and athletes with few answers about how periods affect performance.

Athletes may skip practice or quit sports because they feel unprepared or embarrassed.

About 4.4 million boys played U.S. high school sports in 2021–2022, compared with 3.21 million girls, a gap of more than a million athletes. Period symptoms like cramping, fatigue, and headaches can affect how athletes feel and perform, and without support, some may sit out instead of playing through it.

Warning signs may be mistaken for normal.

Many athletes believe that losing their period during heavy training is common and nothing to worry about, but that’s a myth. Missing or irregular periods can be a sign of RED-S, a condition linked to low energy availability and low bone density, which can lead to fractures and even stunted growth in younger athletes.

Teams aren't prepared to support athletes who menstruate.

Coaches regularly talk about hair ties, injuries, and nutrition, but period products, heavy bleeding, and cycle tracking rarely come up. Many teams don’t bring period products to practices or competitions, and products often aren’t available in locker rooms or after-school restrooms.

  Introducing

Athletes and Periods●

This workshop goes in depth on menstrual health for student athletes.

This course is delivered through audio, text, and interactive worksheets.

You will learn

•  Myth-busting period culture in sports: fact vs. “cap,” like losing your period during heavy training
• The menstrual cycle and training: the four phases and how to train with your cycle
• The power of period tracking: planning hard workouts and recovery, like USWNT players
• Understanding and preventing RED-S: warning signs, fueling, rest and positive body image
• Building a period-positive team culture: breaking stigma, stocked locker rooms, uniform options
• Bonus: supporting transgender, non-binary and intersex athletes

What's Inside ATHLETES AND PERIODS?

This workshop goes in depth on menstrual health for student athletes. Through interactive activities and guided discussion, you’ll discover the essentials of supporting healthy, high-performing athletes, including:

1

Myth-Busting Period Culture in Sports

Separate fact from “cap” on common myths, such as the idea that losing your period during heavy training is normal.

2

The Menstrual Cycle and Training

Learn the four phases of the cycle, how hormone shifts can affect energy and performance, and how athletes can work with their cycle instead of against it.

3

The Power of Period Tracking

See how tracking, a practice used by U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team players and many collegiate programs, can help athletes plan their hardest workouts and recovery.

4

Understanding and Preventing RED-S

Recognize the signs of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and the female athlete triad, and learn prevention steps built around fueling, rest, and positive body image.

5

Building a Period-Positive Team Culture

Explore ways to break stigma, expand access to period products, and advocate for team-wide changes, such as uniform choices and stocked locker rooms.