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Menstruation and Sports: What Every Female Athlete Should Know

Published

2 months ago

August 23, 2026

For every athlete, the body is the most important piece of equipment. We train it, strengthen it, fuel it and give it time to recover. For female athletes, understanding the menstrual cycle should be part of that same approach to sports health.

Menstruation is not a weakness. It is a normal biological process and an important part of women’s health.

Whether you are a footballer, runner, basketball player, volleyball player, swimmer, cyclist or simply someone who enjoys staying active, understanding your menstrual cycle can help you listen to your body and make better decisions about training, recovery and healthcare.

Your Period Is Part of Your Athlete Health

A menstrual cycle is more than just the few days of bleeding. It is a recurring hormonal process that can influence how a woman feels throughout the month.

Some athletes notice changes in energy, mood, appetite, cramps or comfort around their periods. Others notice very little change.

There is no single “normal athlete” experience.

The important thing is to know your own body and recognize changes that are unusual for you.

Do Not Let Your Period Sideline Your Game

Many girls and women have been taught to hide menstrual symptoms. In sports, this can become a serious problem.

An athlete may continue training while experiencing severe cramps, unusually heavy bleeding, dizziness or extreme fatigue because she does not want to appear weak.

But speaking up is not weakness.

A player who tells her coach that she is struggling with a health issue is taking responsibility for her performance and well-being.

Strong athletes know when to push—and when to seek help.

Menstruation and Athletic Performance

Periods do not automatically mean that an athlete has to stop exercising.

Many women can train and compete normally during menstruation. Physical activity can also be part of a healthy lifestyle, and WHO recommends regular physical activity across the lifespan.

However, symptoms matter.

Severe menstrual pain, heavy bleeding or fatigue can interfere with concentration, endurance, training quality and recovery.

If your period repeatedly affects your ability to train or compete, do not simply accept it as “part of being a woman.” Talk to a healthcare professional.

Heavy Bleeding Can Affect Performance

Heavy menstrual bleeding deserves particular attention in sport.

Repeated blood loss can contribute to iron deficiency and anemia. This can cause tiredness, weakness, headaches, dizziness and reduced exercise capacity.

ACOG recommends that adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding be assessed for anemia and iron deficiency.

For an athlete, that matters.

You cannot expect maximum stamina from a body that is struggling with significant iron deficiency.

If your periods are unusually heavy, last more than seven days, or require you to change menstrual products very frequently, seek medical advice.

What About Painful Periods?

Mild discomfort can occur during menstruation, but severe or persistent pain should not simply be dismissed.

If menstrual pain regularly prevents you from training, attending school, competing or carrying out normal activities, speak with a healthcare professional.

Pain that repeatedly takes an athlete away from the field deserves attention.

Don’t train through a medical problem simply because you are afraid of being called weak.

When Periods Become Irregular or Disappear

This is particularly important in sports.

Very intense training combined with inadequate energy intake, significant weight loss or other health issues can affect menstrual function.

ACOG identifies irregular or missed periods, significant weight changes and reduced energy as warning signs in female athletes.

A missed period should not automatically be celebrated as a sign that training is working.

For an athlete, menstrual changes can sometimes be the body’s way of saying:

“Something needs attention.”

If periods become unusually irregular or disappear for several months, medical evaluation is important.

Eat Like an Athlete

Training requires fuel.

Female athletes need adequate energy and a balanced diet to support performance, recovery, growth and reproductive health.

Iron-rich foods are particularly important for women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding. Good sources include beans, meat, fish, leafy green vegetables and other iron-containing foods.

A sports diet should not be about eating as little as possible.

The goal is to fuel performance—not punish the body.

Coaches Have a Role Too

Coaches can make a major difference in how young female athletes understand menstruation.

A coach does not need to be a doctor. But coaches should create an environment where girls can safely say:

“I don’t feel well today.”

Menstrual health should not be a source of jokes, embarrassment or discrimination.

A supportive coach can encourage an athlete to seek appropriate medical care rather than forcing her to hide symptoms.

Parents and Sports Organizations Must Support Girls

Parents should teach girls that menstruation is normal and that asking for help is acceptable.

Schools, clubs and sports organizations should also ensure that female athletes have access to appropriate menstrual hygiene facilities and education.

WHO notes that menstrual health is closely connected to dignity, well-being and participation in everyday life.

If we want more girls to participate in sports, we must create sporting environments where they can manage menstruation safely and confidently.

Keep Moving—but Listen to Your Body

Being on your period does not automatically mean you should stay on the bench.

If you feel well, you may be able to train and compete as usual.

If symptoms are affecting your performance, adjust your training when appropriate and seek professional advice when necessary.

The goal is not to fear menstruation.

The goal is to understand it.

Know When to See a Doctor

Female athletes should seek medical advice if they experience:

– Very heavy menstrual bleeding

– Periods lasting more than seven days

– Severe menstrual pain

– Repeated dizziness or unusual fatigue

– Periods becoming significantly more irregular

– No period for several months

– Menstrual symptoms that repeatedly interfere with training or competition

These symptoms should not simply be accepted as the price of being an athlete.

Final Whistle

Sport teaches us to know our bodies.

We monitor our speed.

We monitor our strength.

We monitor our heart rate.

We monitor our recovery.

We should monitor our menstrual health too.

Menstruation is not something that should keep girls away from sport. With education, proper support and access to healthcare, girls and women can participate confidently and continue to pursue their sporting goals.

Let’s build a sporting culture where female athletes are not embarrassed by their periods, where coaches listen, where parents support them and where health comes before pressure to perform.

A healthy athlete is a stronger athlete.

Know your cycle. Listen to your body. Train smart. Play strong.

For enquires/Consultation
Contact- Dr. Thaddeus Ugwueke

Promoting healthier athletes through sports, education and preventive healthcare.

The post Menstruation and Sports: What Every Female Athlete Should Know appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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APC Appoints SSA Adeboye to Presidential Campaign Council’s Security and Intelligence Directorate

Published

8 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Kenny Malone

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has expressed appreciation following his appointment as a member of the Directorate of Security and Intelligence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

The appointment, announced on Monday in Abuja, adds another responsibility to Adeboye’s public service portfolio and reflects his involvement in national assignments beyond his primary mandate of grassroots sports development.

Reacting to the development, Adeboye described the appointment as an honour and a call to greater responsibility, pledging to approach the assignment with diligence, loyalty and integrity.

“I remain committed to serving with diligence, loyalty and integrity. I pray that Almighty God grants me the wisdom, strength and guidance to discharge this responsibility successfully,” he said.

The Presidential aide expressed appreciation to the leadership of the APC and the Presidential Campaign Council for the confidence reposed in him, noting that every responsibility entrusted to an individual demands commitment, discipline and accountability.

“I am deeply honoured by this opportunity and look forward to making meaningful contributions to the success of the assignment,” Adeboye added.

His appointment comes alongside his continuing responsibilities as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, where he has been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening grassroots participation, youth empowerment and talent development across Nigeria.

Adeboye has consistently advocated for a more structured approach to sports development, particularly the establishment of sustainable pathways through which talented young Nigerians can progress from schools and communities to national and international competitions.

He is also involved in preparations for the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Summit, themed “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting grassroots sports and identify practical solutions for long-term development.

Adeboye maintained that his latest appointment would be approached with the same sense of responsibility that has guided his public service engagements.

He expressed confidence that cooperation, professionalism and dedication would remain essential to discharging the duties associated with the new assignment.

The Presidential aide also prayed for wisdom and divine guidance as he undertakes the additional responsibility.

“Every opportunity to serve comes with expectations. I accept this responsibility with humility and a determination to contribute my experience and best efforts towards the assignment entrusted to me,” he stated.

The appointment marks another chapter in Adeboye’s public service career as he continues his work in grassroots sports development while taking on additional responsibilities within the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

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LA 2028 Olympic Qualifiers: Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu Hit Braces as Super Falcons Thrash Comoros 5-0, Advance 7-0 on Aggregate

Published

8 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Kenny Malone

Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a commanding performance to defeat Comoros 5-0 in the second leg of their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying encounter on Tuesday, completing an emphatic 7-0 aggregate victory to advance to the next round.

Sports247 reports that Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu were the standout performers, scoring twice each, while Christy Ucheibe added another goal as Nigeria demonstrated their attacking quality against the visitors.

The victory followed the Super Falcons’ 2-0 first-leg triumph at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, giving Nigeria a comfortable advantage heading into the decisive encounter.

Despite entering the match with a two-goal cushion, the Super Falcons approached the second leg determined to extend their advantage rather than simply defend their first-leg result.

Their persistence eventually paid off in the 41st minute when Toni Payne broke the deadlock, putting Nigeria ahead and increasing their aggregate lead to 3-0.

The opening goal ensured that the Nigerian side entered the interval in a commanding position, leaving Comoros with an increasingly difficult task.

The Super Falcons returned for the second half with renewed attacking determination, producing four additional goals to complete an impressive victory.

Uchenna Kanu doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 57th minute before Payne completed her brace six minutes later, making it 3-0 on the day. Kanu then grabbed her second goal in the 67th minute, extending Nigeria’s advantage to four goals.

Christy Ucheibe completed the scoring in the 71st minute, putting the finishing touch on a dominant performance that underlined Nigeria’s superiority across both legs.

The five-goal victory also ensured that the Super Falcons finished the two-legged contest without conceding, recording consecutive clean sheets against Comoros. The result represented a successful outing for interim head coach Austin Eguavoen, who had emphasised the importance of winning rather than relying on Nigeria’s first-leg advantage.

Speaking before the encounter, Eguavoen stressed that maintaining the team’s structure remained his priority, although he welcomed the possibility of scoring more goals. His players responded with an impressive attacking display, scoring five times while maintaining their defensive discipline.

Kanu also delivered on her pre-match ambition after expressing confidence in the squad’s ability to secure another convincing victory.

With Comoros eliminated 7-0 on aggregate, Nigeria will now turn their attention to Morocco in the next round of the qualification campaign.

The upcoming encounter represents another important challenge as the Super Falcons continue their pursuit of a place at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

For Nigeria, the comprehensive victory provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the tougher assignments expected in subsequent rounds.

Five goals, two braces, two clean sheets and a 7-0 aggregate triumph — the Super Falcons have delivered a strong statement of intent as their Olympic qualification journey continues.

The post LA 2028 Olympic Qualifiers: Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu Hit Braces as Super Falcons Thrash Comoros 5-0, Advance 7-0 on Aggregate appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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Lagos or Uyo? Why the Tanzania double header has Nigerian fans in Britain planning their November early

Published

8 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Nigeria’s road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations now runs through Tanzania, twice in five days. The collapse against Guinea-Bissau on 29 September left Eric Chelle’s side second in Group L on three points, and the November double header against the Taifa Stars has become the window that decides whether this campaign recovers or drifts into another anxious spring.

For Nigerian supporters in Britain, a Wednesday night qualifier means juggling work shifts and hunting down a reliable stream long before kickoff. The group chats in Peckham and Salford are already arguing about team selection, and in between the debates some fans scroll through slot sign up offers from UK licensed sites, treating them as one more bit of casual entertainment while the build up runs.

The Lagos question

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo has been the Super Eagles’ main home since it opened in 2014. Its first Nigeria match was a 2 all draw with South Africa in an AFCON qualifier on 19 November 2014, and the team has rarely strayed far from Akwa Ibom since.

That could change. BSNSports has reported that the Nigeria Football Federation is weighing the renovated Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere for the home leg against Tanzania on 11 November, and GateKeeper News picked up the story on 13 October. The NFF has not confirmed anything. Approval from the football authorities would still be needed.

The case for Lagos rests on the ground itself. Lagos State has ripped out the old artificial turf and laid a natural grass pitch built on four sub surface drainage layers, according to a Federal Ministry of Information report from 25 September. The stadium holds roughly 24,000 to 25,000 people after its upgrades, and the contractor behind the pitch has openly pitched it as a candidate for FIFA accreditation.

Supporters who favour Lagos talk about the noise a Surulere crowd can make on a big night. Those who prefer Uyo point to more than a decade of familiarity for players who know every blade of that pitch. Both camps agree on one thing: wherever the game lands, anything other than a win would be hard to explain.

Why only one ticket is on the table

The arithmetic is unforgiving. Tanzania have already qualified for the finals as co hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, which leaves a single qualifying place for the best placed non host team in Group L. Guinea-Bissau lead on six points after two wins from two. Nigeria have three. Madagascar and Tanzania sit on one apiece.

The fixtures make November even more important. The group leaders play Madagascar home and away in the same window, while Nigeria host Tanzania on 11 November and travel for the return four days later. Then comes March 2027, when the Super Eagles visit Madagascar on 24 March before hosting the leaders on 28 March. Six points from Tanzania would turn that last game into a genuine decider. Two draws would hand the initiative back to the leaders.

Rankings have already moved. The October FIFA list dropped Nigeria from 26th to 30th in the world and out of Africa’s top five, with Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire all ahead.

A young squad that showed some fight

The friendly in Nizhny Novgorod on 6 October offered a little hope. With captain Wilfred Ndidi carrying a knock and several clubs withholding players, Chelle named a squad in which 13 of 18 players were 22 or younger and handed five international debuts. Nigeria twice came from behind to draw 3 all with Russia, Kelechi Iheanacho and the teenager Peter Edokpolor scoring before Akor Adams equalised in the 94th minute.

Fans in Britain have a closer view of part of that new generation than most. Benjamin Fredrick, 21, plays his club football at Brentford and Chibuzo Nwoko, 20, is on Fulham’s books, which means plenty of London based supporters have already watched them up close. The question for November is whether Chelle trusts them in a competitive match or goes back to the senior core once Ndidi and the others are fit.

A quick check before signing up anywhere

Fans who do look at slots welcome deals during the international break should start with the licence, not the headline offer. A UK Gambling Commission licence brings audited games and a complaints route, and the regulator explains how to check that a gambling business is licensed on its public register in a couple of minutes. Since 19 January 2026, wagering requirements on UK casino bonuses have been capped at ten times the bonus, so any site advertising heavier terms to UK customers is a warning sign.

The licence covers play from Great Britain. Supporters flying home to watch the Tanzania game in person should not assume a UK account travels with them.

How the double header could play out

Nigeria have the stronger squad on paper, but the Bissau result showed what happens when the midfield loses its shape and the back line is left exposed. A first leg win by two clear goals, wherever it is played, would steady nerves and put pressure straight back on the leaders. The away leg is the harder test, against a Tanzania side with nothing to lose and a home crowd that will treat it as a dress rehearsal for hosting the finals.

The sensible prediction is four points: a home win and a hard fought draw on the road. Seven points by the end of November would keep the 28 March meeting alive as a winner takes all night. Anything less, and the supporters setting alarms across Britain for a Wednesday kickoff may be watching Nigeria play for pride rather than a place in East Africa.

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