That time of the month: Gymnasts and their period

When I was in my last few months at my former employer, my then co-workers would beg me not to go. I like to think it was because they really enjoyed working with me but deep down inside I think it was because I was the only female. One of them would say to me, "What if....uh...you know....that time of the month?"



"Oh you mean, when we get our paychecks? Well, I'll be getting paid just not from the same place." I would joke around.

"No, I mean. You know the girls....what about the girls at that time of the month?" He would say in his cute Filipino accent making it more hilarious than it can possibly sound in your head reading this.

"Well," I would say, "hopefully their mothers will have talked to them about this and have them prepared for the gym!" with a cheeky smile.

I still keep in touch with the coaches and so far they haven't ran across an embarrassing situation for their gymnasts and themselves.

As a coach I've never asked my girls what they use or what they wear in order to avoid total embarrassment. They might just die. Yeah, I may talk about butts squeezing and farts, but they can live with my toilet humor. From my own personal experience being a gymnast, here are some thoughts that can be very useful for a parent (and coach) of a gymnast who will soon get her first period.

Before she gets her period, start talking to her about it. 

God forbid my mother to talk to me about this at any time, even after getting my period she didn't give me any advice. I had to ask my friends who were the same age as me, naive and silly just like me. By talk, I don't mean talk about her, talk about yourself  The more you talk about your own experiences the more she will be willing to listen.

Leak protection options

Pads & panty liners may be a good start for her but they prove to become majorly uncomfortable, bulky and don't provide the best leak protection in my opinion. Granted, I've never had a leak from a pad during a practice or gymnastics competition but I was always running to the bathroom to check it, change it, etc.

Tampons are the next step in protection but they too can leak. Tampons do take some time to learn how to put them in. Teach her how and let her practice. Buy a box of very slim or light flow tampons and demonstrate her how the applicator works with your hand. Have her practice on her hand as well before attempting to inset them into her body. Alternatively, OB has tampons that do not have the applicator and give a not-so-daunting look with their bullet sized tampons. 

The Diva Cup provides 12-hours of leak protection like no other and you don't have to worry about a tampon string sticking out. This silicone menstrual cup is re-usable and essentially biodegradable. Don't you just love technology?! I personally use this product and found that with it I have had no leaks, I don't have to change it constantly and I am doing the earth a favor by not flushing so much paper waste down the toilet. 

Get her gymnastics bag prepared

• Grips
• wristbands
• lip balm
• tape
• bandaids
• extra leotard
• wrist gards
• hair ties
• hair brush
• hair clips
• hair spray
• headband
• leak protection (pads, tampons, diva cup)
• copy of floor music
• goals
• inspirational quotes
• Gym shorts

Does she need some new shorts? Francie Pants is having their great gymnast sale. 10% off every pair of shorts with coupon code "GYM2013"