Hyderabad: All hail the world! we are living in the 21st century. We are living in a time where we can even program a robot to do our bidding. But we would not even allow our robot to talk about the basic natural process a woman has to go through, yes I am talking about menstruation. Rant? No, it is the sad reality of our society. We may as well go and say that the world has moved three inches since the Second World War, but even today the discourse around menstruation and the issues women or a female athlete has to face due to periods is taboo in so many societies.
Even though in last few years we have started discussion and debates around menstruation, so many celebrities and so many online forums have raised awareness about the same, but we as a society still have a long way to go.
In light of this, a panel discussion was organised by ETV Bharat, featuring top female athletes, psychologist, physiotherapist, women coach and sports presenter of the country. In our panel discussion, the conversation moved beyond stigma and taboo to allied and related issues that 'Women in Sports' face due to menstruation.
Moderated by Rajsi Swaroop and Varsha, the panel feature ace Indian shuttler Jwala Gutta, former cricketer Reema Malhotra, Paralympian committee president Deepa Malik, sports psychologist Mugdha Bavre, former fielding coach of the Indian women's cricket team Suman Sharma, Andhra Pradesh women's cricket teams physiotherapist Dharini Rochani and sports presenter Riddhima Pathak.
Here are a few important points the panel left us with:
"First of all, I was always taught that having periods is very normal. It is a part of our life. However, when I started playing badminton professionally, sometimes I used to feel severe pain and had to take medicine. But, I don't think much of it. It does not trouble me. To be completely honest, I have given some of my best perfomance during my periods. I don't worry about it much before a game," said Jwala Gutta.
Speaking about her experience, Reema said, "I took medicine not to delay but to get my periods. I once had a finger injury due to which I took a lot of painkillers which adversely affected me. And I did not have periods for six months. So I was forced to take medicines to get my periods."
Reema further said, "Other than that, it did not make much difference for me. For me playing a match with or without periods is same. And sometimes you forget the pain due to the pressure of the game."
Paralympic Deepa Malik, who is paralysed below her chest, said, "I started playing at the age of 36. And Yes, I don't feel any sensation in the lower part of my body. I don't feel any pain. I only feel cramps."
Physiotherapist Dharini Rochani spoke about athletic amenorrhea. She said, "Amenorrhea means not having periods for three months. Sometimes, athletes skip periods due to a lot of training. And when the period comes after three months, then either the bleeding is going to be very low or very heavy."
