Are sports, travel, hobbies … compatible with the moods of our uterus?
And yes Ladies we answer your questions about the practice of your hobbies during your period !
Playing sports during your period: good or bad idea?
Doing sports during your period ? We say yes! Discover our tips for practicing sports with peace of mind during your period.
Did you know that?
Until 1972, women were not allowed to run a marathon, because the organizers imagined that their uterus could unhook (yes yes). Luckily they have since received a few courses in anatomy and gender equality! But even today, many preconceived ideas persist, including the idea that women perform less well in sports during their periods.
It is moreover a taboo that the Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui broke at the Rio Olympics in 2016: arrived at the foot of the podium, she confessed that she was not at the top of her form because she had her period.
Poor sports performance during menstruation: myth or reality?
There are as many answers to this question as there are women: it depends!
Technically speaking, menstruating women do not lose muscle strength. But other parameters can affect athletic performance, including pre-menstrual syndromes that cause migraines, bloating, stomach or back pain. It is normal in this case to have difficulty pushing one’s limits. But the opposite effect can also occur: the aggressiveness that some women feel during their period can be a driving force, especially in combat sports.
What sports are recommended or discouraged during menstruation?
The main criterion to remember is: pleasure. We are not all equal in front of the symptoms before and during menstruation: at best we feel heavy and bloated, at worst we are bedridden with pain for 3 days. It is therefore quite normal to adapt one’s sport practice according to one’s sensations.
Maybe you’re not going to win an Olympic medal this week, but if you feel you can run, swim, do yoga or play soccer, there’s no reason not to.
If you have menstrual pain, it is also recognized that sport has a beneficial effect: not only does it clear your mind, but doing sport triggers the production of a cocktail of hormones (endorphin, serotonin, dopamine …) that reduces pain and stress 1.
It is however necessary to take a few precautions to do sport in all serenity.
What precautions should I take to play sports during my period?
When exercising, the body’s movements increase blood loss during the session: you will notice that your menstrual protection fills up faster. But don’t worry: it’s punctual and only lasts for the duration of the session, it doesn’t mean that your period will suddenly become heavier in general. It is therefore recommended to change your menstrual protection just before starting your session in order to avoid leaks. Think of the menstrual cup! Thanks to its larger capacity than that of tampons, it prevents you from overflowing. Also think about your comfort: if you’re running or cycling, it’s best to avoid towels to prevent friction.
Finally think about your outfit: with black leggings, a small leak will go unnoticed! And if you’re feeling bloated, remember to put on an outfit that doesn’t make your stomach feel too tight.
1R. Da Silve Santos and G. Galdino « Endogenous systems involved in exercise-induced analgesia », Journal of physiology and pharmacology, 2018, 69, 1, 3-13.
Travel and rules
That’s it! Finally, you’ve booked your dream trip and you’re ready to go, but have you really thought of everything?
Travelling, whether short or long, leads to changes in your habits but can also lead to changes in your menstruation.
Why can my cycle be disrupted when I travel?
In reality, it is not your cycle that is actually disturbed, but your brain!
And it’s a fact, your ovaries are intimately linked to your brain and are very attentive to it.
So travelling often, changing time zones and being jet-lagged will lead to changes in habits such as eating at totally different times, and probably sleeping less (Yes, we guessed that you often party on holiday, but we won’t say anything about that).
All this will upset your brain and therefore your ovaries!
It goes without saying that travelling is just as stressful! Whether you leave by car or by plane, you’ve probably already experienced the stress of traffic jams, passports not ready in time, flight delays, and so on…
Stress does not only affect our mind but also our body. If our brain is instructed to manifest stress, it is primarily a physical reaction that occurs. Our body will then conduct a hormone release and disrupt everything.
As a reminder, ovulation is mainly related to hormones. It is the LH that peaks and causes ovulation. This LH spike causes the dominant follicle to rupture and the ovary to release the egg; the egg then enters the fallopian tubes. This process is called “ovulation”.
So if these hormones are deregulated, you may observe a delay or absence of menstruation, or on the contrary, you may observe unexpected bleeding in the middle of the cycle or an advance and it’s the drama, the menstruation not initially planned has invited itself to your trip!
So what to do?
In order to avoid disturbing your hormones and thus avoid the arrival of your period at the wrong time, it is necessary to prepare yourself as well as possible.
- Sleep:
Despite the time difference, try to get enough sleep. Ideally, you should sleep 7 to 8 hours a night. Sleep maintains a non-negligible balance.
- Don’t panic:
No stress, relax. Do not hesitate to do breathing exercises or meditation. A good glass of wine and a massage will do the trick.
- Eat properly :
Despite a change in time zone, try not to skip meals or eat at very different times as this can disrupt your body and therefore your cycle.
Don’t forget to hydrate yourself too!
And above all, when you leave, remember to anticipate with your stock of hygienic protections because, as explained above, they can arrive at any time and depending on where you are going, it will not always be easy to find your usual hygienic protections. The best option is to leave with your menstrual cup, we tell you more here.
For women on the pill who want to be sure to go on a trip without menstruating, this is possible if you take your pill continuously. Taking the pill continuously allows you to miss your period. Be careful because this solution is not highly recommended, but if you talk to your specialist doctor and explain the exceptional situation, he or she can give you a prescription adapted to your needs.
Going on holiday with your menstrual cup
Summer is fast approaching and the aim is to make the most of the beach, holidays, sun and warmth. But saturated or non-existent public toilets, inadequate periodic protection… Summer often brings its share of inconveniences, forcing women to adapt in spite of themselves, or even to deprive themselves of certain leisure activities such as the beach. But that was before the menstrual cup! So for those who haven’t yet taken the plunge, here’s one more reason to switch to the menstrual cup. The menstrual cycle does not take a holiday, and menstruation can sometimes occur without warning, especially when you go on a trip. In this case, the cup remains your best ally.
Advantages of the menstrual cup
More space in the suitcases
Taking your menstrual cup with you on holiday saves space in your luggage. No more need to plan for the stock of tampons and pads that takes up all the space! All you have to do is slip your cup and its transport and disinfection box into your bag.
Perfect for swimming
Once your Claricupmenstrual cup is well positioned, it won’t move! The suction cup effect is assured, so there is no risk of leaks. You can bathe without thinking about your rules. And what’s more, you don’t feel it once you’ve inserted it. We would even forget it.
Lucie’s testimony :
“When travelling, a cup still takes up less space than 2 packs of tampons in the suitcase…and no more anxiety at the pool to have the string sticking out.
I love the cup and I’ve been getting all my girlfriends drunk for 3 years to get them into it too! »
Less waste
Maybe you didn’t know it, but Team Claripharm is based in Brittany, close to the beach. And if you knew, waste from sanitary protection on the beach, you can see some … Because yes, the toilets on the beaches are not the cleanest, or are very far away, or sometimes even non-existent, it is then on the beaches that the waste is found …
With the cup it’s over! You can keep your menstrual cup for up to 6 hours at a time. After 6 hours, it should be emptied to prevent bacteria from developing in your vagina.
The best option is to have 2 menstrual cups with you. Each Claricup is supplied with its own transport and disinfection box. So you leave for your day with one cup in you and the other clean in its box. You can change your cup in the middle of the forest, behind a bush at the beach, or in the toilets you will find. All you have to do is exchange your cups thanks to your Claricup box. It’s done!
Don’t forget to disinfect your cups once the situation allows it. As a reminder, we advise you to disinfect your menstrual cup before each use.
That’s it, you’re ready for your next holiday! For more information on how to use the menstrual cup, please read our valuable advice here.
Do you have further questions about the daily use of your menstrual cup? Write on social networks or by email to: contact@claripharm.fr
