The debate over menstrual hygiene and women’s health continues to capture headlines the world over; India being no exception. To support female athletes, menstrual hygiene management holds an important combination of caring for physical well-being and sports performance. In India, where feminine hygiene is still taboo in many communities, cultural barriers and logistical ones present an extra layer of hurdles for sportswomen. It is critical to break down these barriers and create an environment which empowers female athletes so they reach their full capacity as players.

Menstrual Hygiene and Sports

Due to the menstrual cycle, Indian female athletes face some problems which lead to low performance. Symptoms like fatigue, cramps and mood swings can prevent them from training or competing at their highest level. In rural areas, women sometimes have limited access to suitable menstrual hygiene products like pads or panties and are mostly forced into using any available material. Apart from health reasons, also due to the fact that insufficient menstrual hygiene can result in infections or discomfort, something which would ultimately hinder a female athlete’s progress.

In a country like India, highly talented sportspersons from rural areas have emerged in recent years such as Hima Das of Assam who became the first Indian woman to win gold at an athletics meet beating all odds. Athletes such as Hima, are disadvantaged when it comes to standard responses because of lack of access to specific tools like menstrual hygiene products and facilities or privacy etc. Dealing with them is very important because it reflects directly on their health and success.

Breaking the Stigma of Menstruation in Indian Sports

Menstruation is still a taboo, especially in the sports community like India. This prejudice can inhibit the athlete, coaches and teammates from open conversation about a very necessary subject: one which if discussed openly could potentially result in greater understanding and support. Young female athletes are often too embarrassed to talk about their periods and consequently don’t seek help or ask for resources.

But there is movement on this front. Take the case of Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana who has been vocal about how menstruation should be treated as a normal issue to talk about in sports. Through her advocacy, attention has been raised around the issue of menstrual health that affects both athletes and wider people. Something even- Sania Mirza, who also teamed up with a menstrual hygiene brand in 2020 to get more women talking about periods and sports alike.

There are also grassroots efforts to combat the stigma. Many organizations are doing an amazing job providing access and education on menstrual hygiene in underserved communities, many of which young athletes might come from. 2 out of 3 would like the support of their team or employer in managing periods so that they can increase performance and address menstrual health.

Bringing Your Best Game with Menstrual Hygiene Awareness

Knowledge of the menstrual cycle and its phases can assist individual female athletes in enhancing her performance. In India for instance, athletes like PV Sindhu,  the country’s prominent girl, who’s a badminton star, have started to warm up such strategies. She has also discussed how she sometimes does her physical training during her menstrual cycle, how she adjusts and makes sure that menstrual cycle doesn’t affect her overall performances.

Being able to track the menstrual cycle can help female athletes anticipate and work around their training schedules accordingly.

Conclusion

The potency of Indian female sport stars is relied on by the awareness and menstrual hygiene. While the cultural norms can be challenging, there has been an ever-increasing push to normalize talking about periods in sports. This scenario can be overturned if young female athletes are provided with the right environment to learn, access menstrual hygiene products and discuss freely about their problems. Supporting menstrual health management in women athletes not only improves performance, but it can also contribute to the overall success of a female athlete and her well-being during their athletic career.