‘See it as a superpower’: tackling period stigma with young footballers

P eriod health is something I never thought about while growing up. I knew the basics and had check-ups regularly, but instead of learning how to live with it, it was always a matter of mitigating side-effects. When I was 15, a doctor asked why I was still menstruating and prescribed birth control to take continuously to stop it, but I chose not to use it. However, as time went by, I decided to “solve” that problem. It’s been nearly 15 years since I had a period without any influence from pills or a hormonal IUD.

Nowadays information is more available than ever. We have apps to track our cycles, we see athletes speaking openly about it – a few months ago, we discussed it with Beth England. Even details such as darker shorts are becoming available for players who want to feel more comfortable without having to worry about leaks. There is a plethora of information – and misinformation – online about periods, performance and how it affects the way you play. It is not a problem to solve – instead, people who menstruate have options.

The former Olympic swimmer Hannah Miley, who works as a performance and wellbeing advocate, has been conducting workshops for girls about periods. She decided to go off the pill during the pandemic to learn more about her body, but her research was so eye-opening that she wanted to share knowledge. “I thought I knew everything about my body,” she says. Working in partnership with the grassroots charity Bloomsbury Football, she began teaching girls, parents and coaches about periods and menstrual health. “We want to get this information out there so that they are free to make their own choice.

“It’s important to identify red flags so you can protect your health and, obviously, be aware of