According to The Women’s Sports Foundation, by age 14, many girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys. And the crowd went…huh?
Whether you’re a proud fanatic (your jersey collection is a flex, we just know it) or learning the basics (remember to stay up on your basketball lingo), keep your training up and be the MVP of supporting girls and women in sports.
If you aren't already following along, it's a great time to fangirl for the WNBA and NWSL, which are teeming with talent and momentum. You might even feel inspired to step out on a basketball court or soccer field yourself-though cozily rooting from the couch is totally fine too. Did you know that the severity of your PMS symptoms may also be influenced by how regularly you work out? Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as control stress, which can make PMS worse.
Stigma around first periods and teen menstruation exists (to be clear, we don’t do taboo). Young menstruators are dealing with bodily changes, period symptoms, and the emotional and physical impacts from facing discrimination based on real or perceived orientations and gender identities. Girls in sports may experience bullying, social isolation, negative performance evaluations, or the loss of their starting position, harming their athletic performances and ambitions.
Making A Difference
LOLA: Do you see girls sitting out of gym class in your school and on the girls basketball teams?
LOLA: On a recent team trip to Canada, your girls were given access to LOLA's clean period products. What were their impressions?
LOLA: What motivates you to destigmatize periods with your team?
Community Is Powerful
Okay, so we’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit—wait, actually we’ve all got our period? Although many women and girls may feel an elemental connection with teammates or close friends, it’s probably just a coincidence when your periods happen to sync up.
The truth of the matter is, suspected period sync or not, it’s our unwavering spirit that matters most. Peer pressure can be hard for girls at any age; when that pressure isn’t offset with strong encouragement to participate in sports and healthy physical activity, the results may lead girls to drop out altogether.
Through sports, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence. That’s something we can all cheer on, sports fan or not.
VVHS is located in Moreno Valley, California. Our hearts are heavy for those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. To anyone impacted, displaced, or feeling the weight of this crisis, please know you're at the center of our thoughts. Please visit our Instagram for more information and resources.
The Women’s Sports Foundation was established in 1974 to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity. Their mission is to enable all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life. They provide financial fuel to aspiring champion athletes. They fund groundbreaking research. They educate. They advocate. And they help communities get girls active.