Preparing for a sporting competition, whatever the discipline (tennis, marathon, trail running, judo, dance, etc.), requires regular training, a complete diet and a great deal of effort on the part of the body. In short: considerable effort, regularity and strict discipline. But when you're on your period, how do you keep training?
Are sport and menstruation compatible?
Contrary to what you might think, sport can help reduce period pain. After a certain amount of activity (around 30 minutes), the body releases beta-endorphin, which creates a feeling of well-being and reduces pain.
A 2001 study shows that sportswomen suffer less from dysmenorrhea than non-sportswomen.
How to choose the right sanitary protection for sports?
To perform well in a sporting discipline, you need to be comfortable in your sportswear and equipment, and therefore logically comfortable with the sanitary protection you use. Our collection of menstrual briefs collection is totally adapted to all sporting activities and will accompany you for 5 years :)
For water sports like swimming, the best sanitary protection if you have light flows will be the menstrual swimsuit. If, on the other hand, you have a medium flow, you can combine our menstrual swimsuit with an internal sanitary protection, such as a cup or tampon (we choose organic ones to avoid any chemical components).
For all other sports, menstrual panties remain the ideal hygienic protection. In fact, our Elia menstrual pants - depending on the flow chosen - can absorb up to 12 hours' flow (but be careful when playing sports, as the flow may be heavier than usual due to movement). For sports use, we recommend our Louison cyclist (suitable for hemorrhagic flows), our Sixtine or Armande shorts and our Simone panties.
What to eat during menstruation and sport Diet in all this:
As with any sporting activity, diet plays a key role, and even more so during menstruation. Before and after your period, it's all the more important to have a good supply of protein and iron. Whether through animal proteins (such as red meat) or vegetable proteins (such as legumes). To assimilate these proteins and iron, it's also important to have a sufficient intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables such as peppers, kiwis, oranges, guava...
What sports should I choose when I have period pains?
As we saw earlier, in theory you can do any kind of sport during your period. However, if you feel more comfortable practising a "softer" sport, we can recommend yoga which, in addition to working on flexibility and muscular strength, helps you relax by using your breathing. Pilates also contributes to relaxation, with movements to soften the perineum and abdominal muscles, helping to ease menstrual contractions. The same applies to stretching, which lengthens the muscles and contributes to relaxation. As for dancing, this practice will influence your well-being and mood by letting off steam to music you enjoy. It also helps to minimize feelings of bloating.
Sport can therefore be a solution for painful periods. However, some people feel unable to exercise during their period: that's totally ok.
Period pain varies from person to person, as does the level of fatigue. People with heavier, longer periods may suffer from anaemia and extreme fatigue, which makes it harder for them to do sport. Others may just want to exercise during their period. The important thing is to listen to yourself and your body.
On the same subject: What sports can you do during your period?
