Menstruation shouldn't be another hurdle female athletes have to overcome

When I was in grade six at Burton Ettinger Elementary School in Halifax, I was very good at high jump. My steps and run up were strong and I could contort myself to leap over the bar. That was also the time that my 12-year-old body went through "the change." Yes, the devastating effects of puberty hit and not only was my back sore, I dealt with overwhelming cramps and bloating. 

I remember asking my mom why a merciful God would subject women to this. The worst part was not only being young, it was also feeling ashamed about a situation that is normal and natural. I was too embarrassed to tell my gym teacher, Mrs. Tokaryk, that I was feeling uncomfortable and I was so anxious about leaking through my neon spandex shorts. I had previously beaten the qualifying standard to get to the city finals but on this day, it wasn't going to happen. Mrs.Tokaryk looked visibly annoyed as my run up was slower and I pretended to giggle, veered and purposely botched the jump. I felt horrible inside and even worse when my best friend whispered to me after class, "What's going on? I know you can make that jump!" I never excelled in high jump but I also never forgot that moment. 

As I continued to play sports my whole life, I managed "the curse" with the same jokes, quiet fatigue, and covering up my physical pain like every other woman or girl.

But what about professional athletes, who must use their bodies to make a living? They can't negotiate to work from home and log in on the computer with a hot water bottle on their abdomen as I have the privilege of doing some days.

Women and non-binary people have had tales to tell about their menstrual cycles since time immemorial. For athletes, amateur and professional, some of the obstacles are