One of the main myths about menstruation has always been that it prevents women from performing daily activities, including sports. Although it is true that the hormonal dysregulation that occurs due to the menstrual cycle has an influence on the woman’s body -and, consequently, on her physical performance-, in this article we are going to explain the true effects that menstruation has on activity sporty .
Menstruation and its effects on athletic performance
Since menstruation for the first time, the body of healthy women undergoes monthly cycles connected with hormones. Generally, the menstrual cycle lasts 28 days in which the uterus prepares for pregnancy; but, if this does not occur, the endometrium is detached and menstruation or bleeding appears.
During the menstrual cycle they go through different stages depending on how the levels of the different hormones are . This change in hormones affects all women. If elite female athletes who compete at a high level are taken into account, their work depends 100% on their physical condition and that includes their menstrual cycle , so that menstruation in some cases can be decisive in having better or worse results .
The importance of hormones and the menstrual cycle
When menstruation ends, the follicular stage begins in which the level of estrogen rises , and the body temperature becomes about 36 °. At two weeks of the cycle, the so-called luteal phase occurs, in the that estrogens are reduced and progesterone and body temperature are increased , which reaches 37 °.
In the premenstrual and menstrual phase , a woman’s body undergoes changes such as decreased respiratory efficiency, less hemoglobin, higher heart rate, and more retained fluids. Stability, coordination, and agility can be impaired . These processes are essential to achieve optimal results in a competition.
For all this, it is essential that when you schedule your workouts , you keep in mind the phase of the menstrual cycle in which you are, although it is true that when it comes to women in high competition it is difficult to adapt the workouts 100%, since the events that mark the calendar are the competitions.
The phases of menstruation that worsen athletic performance
According to research carried out by Sokolova on a women’s volleyball team, 85% of female players suffer from poor performance in the premenstrual and menstrual phases . In another study in which Spanish soccer players were analyzed, women expressed that, during the phase of the menstrual cycle, there was no positive correlation between the results obtained and the effort made.
The phases that improve capacity
However, in the postmenstrual and postovulatory phase , different physiological processes occur. In these stages of the cycle, Shajilina’s study concluded that female athletes have a greater capacity to work, as well as a high recovery speed along with functional respiratory efficiency.
From all the above we can deduce that whatever sport you choose to practice, you can stay active during your menstrual period and it may even help you improve some of your abilities . The only thing you will need to ensure that everything is going well is to wear the right protection, be it tampons, menstrual cup or pads.
However, it must be borne in mind that menstruation does not affect all women equally . While some physical activity helps them feel less bloated and more active, others suffer from menstrual cramps or fatigue that prevent them from engaging in intense sports. If you are one of the latter and despite this you need to compete, do not forget to consult your doctor.
