Tips for Your Active Daughter during Her Period

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, more than three million girls participated in high school sports during the 2007-08 school year.¹ The benefits to girls who play sports are numerous and they should be encouraged to continue playing even during menstruation.

If your daughter is one of those girls she’ll need some advice on how to manage her period when she hits the courts, takes the field or dives into the pool. Even if she’s not in organized sports other physical activities like hanging out at the beach or hiking with friends may present a challenge.

Here are some helpful tips to share with your daughter–

• Have her keep an “emergency kit” in her gym bag or sports locker. Fill the kit with feminine hygiene products, an extra pair of underwear and a wash rag. She won’t be caught unprepared before the big game.

• Get together with the mothers of your daughter’s friends and donate a supply of pads to keep in the girl’s locker room. Communicate with the coach and let all the girls know where to find the supplies.

• Many sports uniforms require loose fitting shorts. Wearing spandex shorts underneath the sport shorts will keep pads in place and provide a feeling of comfortable control.

• If your daughter is a swimmer you may want to introduce her to tampons. Have her practice at home until you find the brand and fit that she’s comfortable with.

• Sometimes bathroom facilities are hard to find when you’re hiking or beach combing. Tuck a few pads into any backpack or jacket she might use. Wrap the pads in plastic bags which can also be used to keep used product in until she gets to a trash can.

• Encourage your daughter to track her monthly cycle with a calendar. It may take some time before its regular but soon enough she’ll be able to anticipate when her flow will start.

Periods should not get in the way of an active lifestyle. Providing these tips to your daughter will help her to manage her period with confidence as she participates in her favorite physical activities.

¹“High School Sports Participation Increases Again; Boys, Girls and Overall Participation Reach All-time Highs”. Press Release, September 4, 2008.