Having Your Period Needn’t Stop You from Playing Sports

Exercise and sports are great for keeping fit and releasing endorphins. Not only is playing sports a fun and enjoyable hobby or career choice, but it is also great for the body and mind. Unfortunately, monthly cycles can cause great inconvenience to normal routines. Thankfully, dealing with periods no longer has to be such a big issue. Don’t let periods stop you from playing sports!

Here are some of the ways you can play sports stress-free:

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are a safe and environmentally friendly period product. Like tampons, they are worn internally and collect and store blood. Unlike tampons, however, they are not a disposable product and can be worn safely for up to 12 hours. The frequency you empty them depends on how heavy your flow is. 

They can take a bit of practice to get used to wearing, but once you get the hang of it, they are comfortable and reliable. There are different ones available, and they come in a few shapes and sizes, so you should read reviews about the best menstrual cups to help determine which one might be the most suited to you. 

They cost more than a box of tampons, but when you add up the cost of tampons every single month for 5+ years, menstrual cups work out much cheaper. They are also better for the environment, as they are not a single-use, disposable product. 

Because they can be safely worn for a long stretch of time and are a comfortable, internal product, you can play sports for as many hours as you like, without worrying about leaks. For extra security, though, you can always use panty liners or wear period pants.

Period Pants

Period pants are a comfortable and more environmentally friendly alternative to sanitary pads and panty liners. For heavier flow days when you need the added security alongside your menstrual cup, or even lighter flow days when you’d rather not bother with tampons, sani-pads or menstrual cups – period pants make the perfect alternative. 

The term period pants refer to a variety of period panties, underwear, even sports leggings, which are all designed to absorb and hold periods. Like sanitary pads, they are designed with layers of special fabrics for absorbency and leak-proofing. It may seem a strange concept, but they are designed to be hygienic and comfortable, and many people are big fans. 

There are a number of brands producing period-proof clothing, so read the reviews and give them a go yourself! You can make your own reusable feminine care pads.

Monitoring Your Cycle

While it would be great to do away with periods completely, using an app that tracks your cycle can give you the feeling of control over your monthly periods. There are plenty of great free apps designed to record and track your symptoms and monthly cycle. This can mean you can easily check your calendar and know what’s ahead.

Knowing when your period is due to start will help avoid those nasty surprises, but it can also keep you more attuned to your body. Being able to spot when things aren’t quite right is much easier when you have a record of these things, so think of it as an addition to your fitness diary. 

Pain Relief

Once you have your periods under control, and you have started tracking your cycle and staying one step ahead, the next way to beat your periods is by managing the pain. Everyone is different. Some people are fortunate to have short and light cycles with minimal aches and pains, while others may experience very difficult cycles. 

Taking painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can help relieve some of the pain, but there are other methods to help with the pain if you don’t want to take any medications. If you exercise and play a lot of sports, you are probably already familiar with heat patches and cooling patches used to deal with muscle aches. Heat packs, some of which are adhesive, can also help ease menstrual cramps by relaxing the uterine muscles. Cooling packs may also be helpful, depending on the pain you are experiencing. 

Final Take

Ultimately, while periods suck, you shouldn’t let them spoil your fun. Sports and exercise are recommended to help deal with period cramps and pain, so do your best to keep it up. As long as you have things under control, you can keep the power in your hands.

Don’t let periods stop you from playing sports!