The European Handball Federation -EHF- has published an article titled “This is true female sport – how period-related stigma impacts athletes”, addressing how the stigma surrounding menstruation continues to affect athletes’ wellbeing and performance. Drawing on direct player testimonies and recent research, the organisation highlights that the lack of open conversation about the menstrual cycle remains a silent barrier in women’s sport.
“During a match, I thought I had leaked and panicked. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, even my teammates,” confessed one of the players interviewed by the EHF, reflecting the pressure and silence that surround the issue. According to the report, fear of leaks, discomfort, and inadequate facilities often lead to constant anxiety among elite athletes.
A global issue still silenced
A study conducted in Australia found that one in five girls aged 10 to 16 had considered quitting sport because of menstruation, while 62% reported skipping training sessions for the same reason. In Europe, German research published in 2025 revealed that 53% of athletes felt their menstrual cycle directly impacted their performance.
The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport summarised it clearly: “Menstruation affects every athlete who experiences it, and yet it remains one of the most ignored and misunderstood aspects of sport.” The data reinforce a shared reality: many women continue to train and compete without the medical, technical, or psychological support needed to manage the physical variations caused by the menstrual cycle.
Athletes breaking the silence
In recent years, several elite athletes have begun to speak publicly about their experiences. British Paralympic archer Danielle Brown MBE recalled that in her early career, “I used to compete terrified of leaks or severe pain, unable to ask for help,” an experience that inspired her to advocate for female-specific uniform designs.
The campaign “Sport Your Period,” launched by athletes such as Brandie Wilkerson and Ilona Maher, aims to normalise conversations about menstruation in professional sport. “Talking about this doesn’t make us weak — it proves we compete under the same conditions as anyone else,” said Wilkerson during one of the campaign’s events.
Federations starting to act
The EHF has become one of the first European federations to openly address the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance. The organisation emphasises that its goal is to foster trust and awareness within teams. “This is also true female sport,” the piece concludes, calling on federations and clubs to include menstrual health in their wellbeing programmes.
Other sports bodies are following suit. UEFA has incorporated menstrual health into its women’s football wellbeing framework, introducing pilot projects to track players’ cycles. In the United Kingdom, the Football Association of Wales announced the free distribution of menstrual products in sports facilities and workshops for coaches and athletes on menstrual health management.
Despite these advances, research suggests the conversation remains insufficient. Many teams still lack formal protocols or safe spaces to address the issue, and menstrual education is largely absent from grassroots sport. More athletes and organisations are joining a growing movement that seeks something simple yet powerful: to make talking about menstruation as natural as talking about an injury or a training plan.
