Breaking the Silence: Why It’s Time to Address Periods, Breasts, and Injuries in Women’s Sports…Read More…
In a world that increasingly champions equality in sport, one fundamental truth continues to be brushed aside: women’s bodies are not just smaller versions of men’s. They are biologically different, complex, and, crucially, underrepresented in both sports science and mainstream sports conversations. While progress has been made in spotlighting women athletes’ talent and achievements, topics such as periods, breasts, and gender-specific injuries remain cloaked in stigma and silence.
But that silence is doing real harm.
From professional athletes to grassroots participants, many women navigate elite training and competitive schedules while managing the physiological realities of menstruation, breast discomfort, and a heightened risk of specific injuries, including ACL tears. Ignoring these issues doesn’t just perpetuate inequality—it jeopardizes athletes’ health, performance, and longevity in their sport.
Menstruation: The Taboo That Affects Performance
For decades, menstrual cycles have been either ignored or treated as an inconvenience in sports. But for many female athletes, periods significantly impact physical performance, energy levels, mental health, and even injury susceptibility.
British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith made headlines in 2022 when she publicly called for more conversations around the menstrual cycle in sport after cramping derailed her race at the European Championships. “We need more funding, more research, and more honesty,” she urged. Her words resonated across the athletic world.
Today, growing evidence suggests that different phases of the menstrual cycle can influence muscle strength, fatigue, and recovery. The follicular and luteal phases can affect hormone levels, altering how women respond to training loads. However, most training regimens and competition calendars remain rigid, without adjustments for cycle-specific needs.
Unfortunately, many female athletes still don’t feel comfortable discussing menstruation with their coaches or medical staff, fearing they’ll be seen as “weak” or “difficult.” As a result, injuries may go unprevented and performance dips unexplained.
Breasts: The Overlooked Barrier
While sports bras are now standard athletic wear, the conversation around breast pain and support in sport is far from normalized. Research by the University of Portsmouth’s Breast Health Research Group found that nearly half of surveyed female athletes reported breast discomfort as a barrier to performance, especially in high-impact sports like running, football, and tennis.
Breast movement can affect running mechanics, posture, and even respiratory patterns. Yet many athletes—especially younger ones—lack access to properly fitted sports bras or the education to understand their breast health needs. The stigma surrounding female anatomy still discourages open discussion.
Professional triathlete and Olympic hopeful Lucy Charles-Barclay recently advocated for better breast support awareness, saying, “I wish I’d known earlier how much proper support could improve comfort and confidence. It’s not just about vanity—it’s about health.”
The industry is slowly catching up, with brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma investing in motion-tracking technology to create better-fitting, high-performance bras. But without institutional support and routine fitting opportunities, many female athletes are left to manage this essential need alone.
Injuries: A Hidden Epidemic
Injuries are part of sports, but women face unique vulnerabilities that require specific attention. Female athletes are up to six times more likely than their male counterparts to suffer ACL injuries. Studies suggest that hormonal fluctuations, wider hips, and neuromuscular imbalances contribute to this heightened risk.
Yet much of sports injury research has historically focused on male physiology. This knowledge gap means many strength and conditioning programs fail to address female-specific injury prevention.
A glaring example lies in football (soccer). In recent years, a surge of ACL injuries among top-tier female footballers—including Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, and Catarina Macario—has reignited the call for tailored prevention strategies. FIFA and national leagues are now being pressured to reevaluate pitch conditions, footwear standards, and workload expectations for female players.
Moreover, the absence of period tracking in many sports programs—despite its proven link to injury risk—remains a baffling omission. As performance scientist Dr. Georgie Bruinvels explains, “We can no longer accept generic injury prevention programs for women. We need targeted, informed strategies that take the whole body into account, including the menstrual cycle.”
Changing the Narrative
The tide is turning. A new generation of athletes is demanding transparency and support, and some organizations are beginning to listen.
In 2024, the English Institute of Sport launched a national initiative encouraging athletes to log their menstrual cycles and receive customized training advice. Meanwhile, the Women’s Sports Foundation continues to push for mandatory breast health education across sports academies and schools.
Media is playing its role, too. Documentaries like Game On: The Female Body in Sport and podcast series such as The Period Panel are breaking taboos and providing platforms for athletes to speak openly.
But more is needed.
Coaches must receive training on female physiology. Teams should employ female health specialists. Medical studies must include women’s bodies at every level. And most importantly, athletes must be empowered to speak without shame.
Conclusion
Addressing periods, breasts, and injuries in women’s sport isn’t about creating excuses—it’s about creating equality. Recognizing and supporting female athletes’ physical realities leads to better performance, fewer injuries, and longer careers. The silence has lasted long enough.
It’s time to talk. More than that, it’s time to act.
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