What To Wear to Gymnastics When You Are On Your Period

Womanhood – it eventually happens to all of us females, but, what do you do when you’re a gymnast and having to wear leotards to practice and competitions?! We’ve searched around and are bringing you some of our best tips and recommendations!

Organic Pads/Tampons

If your flow isn’t too heavy, using organic pads or tampons is an easy fix to your monthly visit from Aunt Flo. Since leotards are pretty tight and fitting, they will typically stay in place and/or do the trick during practice or a competition. We’ve found that the Cora brand has a lot of different options to choose from! There are also other options like a period cup that are great for use with physical activity and you won’t have to worry you’ll leak during practice or a competition. Always check with your parent to discuss what you’re ready to use for your period needs.

Period Panties

We wish these were around when we were young gymnasts! There are some great options, like Thinx, and there are so many options from the period underwear to period boy shorts. There are some great options for use in conjunction with organic pads/tampons or just on their own if your cycle is light or just at the start or end.

Black Shorts

You can always add an extra layer of protection to your organic pad, tampon, or period cup with some black shorts over your leotard. These can just be regular athletic shorts or even some of the previously mentioned options have sleepwear or activewear period shorts!

What about cramps?

If cramps are a big problem, it’s okay to take a break from gymnastics for a practice or two. We also suggest a heating pad like this one to help relieve cramps and pains from your cycle (this heating pad actually massages too!). Approximately 90% of females suffer from the aches/pains/cramps that can occur with your period. But as always, consult a doctor if you have a big issue with cramping, as severe, consistent cramps could be the sign of a health issue.

Q & A

We posted a story on Instagram the asking what questions our viewers have regarding their periods and gymnastics. Here are a couple of the questions and our responses!

Q: How should I prepare?

A: If you’re asking how to prepare for getting your period, we’d recommend having a prep bag. Just in case the time comes at a time when you’re out or at practice, you’ll be prepared. You can keep an extra leotard, shorts, pads, period panties and/or extra underwear. We’d also recommend talking to a parent to express your concerns. There are some great resources out there for explaining your body changes and what to expect and ways you can prepare yourself mentally for puberty and the changes your body is going through and we recommend discussing with your parents about checking some out!

Q: Should I wear a pad or a tampon or something else?

A: That’s going to be solely based on what you and your parents decide, how heavy your period starts out, etc. We’ve given some suggestions above, and think that the period panties and/or shorts with an organic pad is likely the option most young gymnasts and those just getting their period will start with.

Q: How do I not worry while I’m at practice? Is there anything that works, really works?

A: We know it’s definitely something that you will initially probably worry about. Again, we feel that the options above are really good options and in the research we’ve done, based on reviews and such, wearing a pad, tampon or period cup are the first line of defense while wearing period panties and/or shorts is the perfect second line of defense to ensure there is no leakage!

Q: What do you do if you can’t wear shorts over your comp leo when you are on your period?

A: In both the Development Program and the Xcel Program, black shorts with no embellishments (a small manufacturer’s logo is allowed) is allowed for competitions. So you’re in luck, this isn’t an issue! That way, you can wear the organic pad, tampon or period cup with period shorts under your leo and outside black shorts – you’ll definitely be covered that way!

Q: Why do gymnasts tend to get their period later rather than sooner?

A: Gymnasts as well as other elite athletes (athletes who train aggressively for several hours a week or on a regular basis) are more prone to experience athletic amenorrhoea, which is the absence of menstrual periods. This is likely due to the lower levels of body fat the athletes have (being in really good shape from training as an athlete) as well as the increase of exercise hormones which affect your period.

Hopefully this has covered some of your questions about what to do or wear when Aunt Flo comes for her monthly visit!

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts Found