I’ll set the scene. It’s the morning of my biggest university running competition of the year. Months of training have led to this moment. I wake up early, running through my pre-race routine in my head. My bag is packed with everything I’ll need, running shoes, race bib, snacks, a towel. Every detail is accounted for. Then, the unexpected happens.
I get my period. For the first time in years.
Periods are different for everyone. There’s no guidebook, no universal strategy. In sports, it’s even more unpredictable. Our bodies follow their own rhythms, often at odds with our training schedules. I can only speak from my own experience, so that’s what I’ll do.
Like a lot of young women, I started birth control as a teenager, mostly to regulate my cycle and avoid the stress of unexpected periods before competitions. I tried different types—first the pill, then an IUD. The hormonal IUD worked best for me as a runner. No cramps, no heavy bleeding, and, eventually, no period at all. It was one less thing to worry about during training and races.
But after years of relying on birth control, I decided to have my IUD removed. I wanted to understand my body’s natural cycle, to see what would happen without artificial regulation. I didn’t expect my period to return at the worst possible time—on the morning of my biggest race.
I had no idea what to do. I hadn’t used a tampon in years, and my usual routine didn’t account for this. I felt like a teenager again, trying to navigate something that should have been second nature.
So what did I do? I had no choice but to adapt.
Here’s what went through my mind:
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Stopping was not an option – University running competitions are intense. Every second counts. I couldn’t afford to let my period slow me down.
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Tampons weren’t ideal – I worried about discomfort, leaks, and whether I’d have time to change them between events.
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The endurance factor – Unlike other sports, long-distance running adds another challenge—sustained effort over time. I had to be sure my choice wouldn’t fail me mid-race.
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Keep going – Like everything in competitive running, I had to trust my preparation, adapt, and push through.
At the track, I confided in a teammate, and to my surprise, she had dealt with the exact same thing. We laughed about the irony, and she reassured me that plenty of runners deal with periods mid-competition. Some use tampons, others prefer menstrual discs. I decided to try a my mimi menstrual disc www.mymimi.com.au, and honestly, it worked better than I expected. Once it was in, I forgot about it completely.
The races went by in a blur. The adrenaline took over, and my body did what it had been trained to do. When I crossed the finish line at the end of my final event, I barely remembered that I had been worried about my period just hours earlier. It wasn’t a perfect day, but I made it through, and that was enough.
Periods are normal. They’re part of life. Yet, we don’t talk about them enough—especially in sports. We train through pain, fatigue, and mental barriers, but for some reason, menstruation is treated like a taboo subject. It shouldn’t be. It’s a natural process, and for female athletes, it’s something that affects performance, recovery, and well-being.
Since that day, my cycle has become more regular. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had days where I’ve felt sluggish during training, where cramps made running miserable. But I’ve also learned to listen to my body. I track my cycle, plan my training around it when I can, and make adjustments when I need to. Some days, I need extra rest. Other days, I push through. It’s all part of the process.
If you’re an athlete dealing with irregular periods, it’s worth paying attention to what your body is telling you. Periods aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re a sign of health. Losing them completely isn’t something to ignore. If you’re not on hormonal birth control and you’re not getting a regular period, talk to a doctor. Find someone who understands female athletes and won’t dismiss your concerns.
For now, I keep running, keep learning, and keep adapting. Period or not, I’ll be ready for the next competition.
