Why Are Young Females Dropping Out of Sports? The Role of Menstrual Cycles and Other Struggles
In recent years, there has been growing concern over the high dropout rates of young females in sports, particularly during adolescence. Research shows that girls are more likely to stop participating in physical activities than boys, especially during high school. While there are many factors contributing to this, one significant but often overlooked issue is the impact of the menstrual cycle.
The Growing Dropout Rate of Young Females in Sports
Studies have shown that girls are twice as likely to drop out of sports compared to boys after the age of 14.
This statistic is concerning because physical activity plays a crucial role in promoting both physical and mental well-being. Yet, as they enter adolescence, many young girls face a variety of barriers that deter them from continuing in sports.
Why are young females dropping out?
Body Image Concerns: Puberty often brings changes in body shape and appearance, leading to self-consciousness and a lack of confidence in sporting environments.
Lack of Social Support: Without the right encouragement from coaches, peers, or family, girls are more likely to quit.
Increased Academic Pressure: As schoolwork becomes more demanding, extracurricular activities like sports often take a backseat.
Gender Stereotypes: Society’s expectations around femininity and sports can discourage girls from pursuing physical activities they love.
However, there’s another important factor influencing this dropout rate…the menstrual cycle.
How Menstrual Cycles Impact Participation in Sports
The physical changes that come with menstruation are often dismissed or overlooked when discussing youth sports participation. However, for many young females, menstruation can play a huge role in how they feel during physical activity.
The Physical Impact of Menstruation:
Cramps and Discomfort: Many girls experience painful cramps, which can significantly reduce their motivation to engage in physical activities. These cramps can range from mild to severe and may last for several days.
Fatigue: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can lead to a dip in energy levels, making physical exertion feel more difficult than usual.
Mood Swings: The hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation can lead to irritability, sadness, or stress, which may make it harder to stay motivated or focused during sports.
Heavy Bleeding: For some girls, heavy menstrual flow can make them feel self-conscious about participating in physical activities, especially when it comes to activities that involve jumping, running, or heavy exertion.
My Own Struggles with Menstruation and Sports
I can personally relate to many of the struggles young girls face when it comes to balancing sports and menstruation. I started my period at age 12, not even a teenager yet and found myself trying to figure out how to navigate life with a heavy monthly cycle and a face full of acne. At that age, life was already a lot to handle, and school was not helping.
Academically, I struggled. At school parents' evenings, my mum was always told I was falling behind and needed extra support. While they offered me help in that department, I was more focused on surviving the emotional and physical challenges that came with puberty. The one thing that kept me sane was my love for sport. It was the one area where I felt happy, at peace, and in control.
When I played sport, I felt like myself. It gave me an outlet to express my energy and frustration, and it was the only time I could forget about the pressures I faced in other areas of my life. But here’s the catch: Every month, I had to give up the one thing that made me happy. No swimming, no netball, no after-school rounders club..nothing but painful cramps, feeling sad, and sometimes even passing out in class due to the sheer exhaustion and discomfort of my period.
For me, menstruation didn’t just come with physical pain, it affected my entire sense of self. It made me feel isolated from my friends who could participate in everything, while I was forced to sit on the sidelines, watching the activities I loved slip away.
Below are a few other reasons why myself and young girls I have worked with drop out of sport…
Lack of Support in Schools: Many schools don’t have the resources or the awareness to support girls during their menstrual cycles. This lack of understanding can make female athletes feel uncomfortable or even embarrassed to participate.
Body Image Issues: As young girls go through puberty, they may become increasingly self-conscious about their bodies, especially in sports environments that emphasize physical appearance.
Peer Pressure: Peer influence plays a major role in whether a girl continues with sports. Girls who feel judged by their peers for their athletic abilities, body shape, or performance may quit as a result.
Cultural Stigmas: In some communities, menstruation is still seen as taboo. This can lead to feelings of shame and discomfort, making it harder for girls to seek the support they need.
How Schools and Coaches Can Help
The good news is that there are solutions to support young females in sports, especially in managing the challenges posed by menstruation. Schools and coaches can play a pivotal role in making sports more inclusive and accessible.
Create an Inclusive Environment:
Encourage open conversations about menstruation. By normalising discussions about menstrual cycles, young females can feel more comfortable addressing their needs.
Train Coaches to understand the physical and emotional impacts of menstruation and how they can modify training and expectations accordingly.
Practical Support:
Make sanitary products readily available for athletes during training and competitions, ensuring that young girls feel comfortable and equipped to manage their cycles.
Offer breaks during practice or matches to allow for necessary rest or adjustments during menstruation.
Modify activities when necessary, especially during days when symptoms may be more intense. Flexibility is key in keeping young girls involved and engaged.
Benefits of Keeping Girls in Sports
The advantages of keeping young females active and involved in sports go beyond just physical fitness:
Physical Health: Regular exercise helps alleviate menstrual discomfort by promoting circulation and reducing cramps. It also encourages strong bones, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness.
Mental Health: Physical activity releases endorphins, which boost mood and reduce anxiety and depression. Staying active helps girls maintain emotional balance, particularly during the hormonal fluctuations that come with puberty.
Social Skills: Sports teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Girls involved in sports tend to have stronger social networks and better interpersonal skills.
Self-Esteem: Being physically active can increase confidence, especially if young girls see their bodies performing well in sports rather than focusing solely on appearance.
While there are certainly challenges that young females face when it comes to sports participation, especially during their menstrual cycle, these hurdles are not insurmountable. By creating supportive, understanding, and flexible sports environments, schools and coaches can help girls continue to be active and thrive in sports.
When girls feel empowered to stay in sports despite the obstacles, they not only improve their physical health but also develop critical life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Let’s break down the barriers, embrace the conversation, and support the young females in our communities to stay active, healthy, and confident.