Having your period while being a competitive athlete can be super frustrating. Cramps, headaches, and waves of nausea can impair your athletic performance while constant worry about whether your pad is holding up drives you crazy. Here are 5 tips to help with periods from a competitive high school athlete.

  1. Always take ibuprofen. Make sure to take ibuprofen at least 45 minutes before the beginning of your competition or practice to reduce cramping. It will help you feel more "normal" during your period and be able to focus and perform better during your athletics. Also bring ibuprofen to your event or practice in case it wears off during the session.
  2. Pack a kit to keep in your bag. In the kit include ibuprofen, a snack (chocolate or an energy bar), three pairs of dark underwear, and pads and/or tampons. Keep this kit in the front pocket of your bag for easy access, especially if your coach is stingy about going to the bathroom during practice or if you have a short amount of time. Refill the kit after every practice.
  3. Wear dark shorts to practice. If you bleed through clothing during practice, this helps prevent noticeable leaking since the blood will not show through the black. If you are required to wear light colored clothing or uniforms, wear dark colored shorts or longer dark underwear under your clothes as a precaution. I recommend the black "long underwear" from lululemon or black volleyball shorts.
  4. Hydrate but add electrolytes. While it's generally good to hydrate extra on your period, you're going to need to replenish energy and hydrate twice as much when you are training during your period. Add a packet of pedialyte, liquid IV, or gatorade electrolyte powder.
  5. Adjust your training or create a period regimen. When athletes are on their period, they're more prone to injury because they have less energy, and tend to not be able to lift as heavy or exercise as hard. Adjust your training schedule accordingly, whether lessening weights or time spent exercising, to make full use of your energy and continue training but not injuring or maxing yourself out.