N
Glam Monitor

Do gymnasts stop menstruating?

Author

Daniel Foster

Updated on June 16, 2026

Many elite women gymnasts, and some other endurance athletes like distance runners, are amenorrheal, or experiencing a significant delay in the onset of menstruation and puberty. It is routine for top-flight gymnasts to begin menstruating years later than other girls.

Do female athletes stop their periods?

While periods may or may not affect a woman's athletic performance, the reverse occasionally occurs, meaning that a ton of exercise may sometimes cause irregular periods or periods to stop altogether. Also, low bone density and thus risk of fractures comes with this undernutrition state.

Do Olympic athletes have periods?

Some athletes monitor their periods to ensure they are able to train and compete at optimum times in their cycle. In a short film interview with Women's Health, Lioness and Chelsea FC football player Fran Kirby said her team uses the “Fit For Women” monitoring app to track their cycles and train accordingly.

Do female Olympic gymnasts have periods?

Many elite women gymnasts, and some other endurance athletes like distance runners, are amenorrheal, or experiencing a significant delay in the onset of menstruation and puberty. It is routine for top-flight gymnasts to begin menstruating years later than other girls.

Why do athletes miss their periods?

Summary. Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstrual periods. Women who are elite athletes or who exercise excessively on a regular basis are at risk of developing athletic amenorrhoea. Causes are thought to include low levels of body fat and the effects of exercise-related hormones on the menstrual cycle.

27 related questions found

Do female Olympic swimmers have periods?

The results of this study indicate that female competitive swimmers are vulnerable to delayed puberty and menstrual irregularities, but the associated hormonal profile is very different from the hypothalamic amenorrhea described in dancers and runners.

What do gymnasts wear when they're on their period?

Tampons are a common choice for many dancers and gymnasts for a lot of the same reasons as the menstrual cup – they're invisible under your leotard. If you're comfortable with using tampons, this can be a good option.

At what percent body fat do you stop menstruating?

Studies indicate that the body's fat content must account for 17% of the body's weight before menarche can occur and that, at age 18 years, the fat content must be at least 22% for the maintenance of regular menstrual cycles.

How much does a girl weigh when she starts her period?

Most girls will not start menstruation until they weigh at least 100 pounds. Puberty hormones lead to girls developing breast, hips, pubic hair, and growing in height. Menstruation means that a girl is now physically able to become pregnant.

Is puberty triggered by weight?

If a child reaches a particular weight (around 45 kg or 100 lb), the onset of puberty is triggered. The heavier the child, the earlier puberty occurs, possibly affecting risk of later disease.

Can being too fat stop your period?

Being overweight or obese can also affect your menstrual cycle. If you're overweight, your body may produce an excess amount of oestrogen, one of the hormones that regulate the reproductive system in women. The excess oestrogen can affect how often you have periods, and can also cause your periods to stop.

Do gymnasts wear bras under their leotards?

Don't let your bra and underwear show (and yes, gymnasts wear them!). “No there isn't [a built-in bra and underwear on the leotards] so we have to wear our own. We normally find a nude sports bra. The leotard company makes them so they're briefs just like nude briefs and then a nude sports bra.

Do gymnasts glue their leotards?

Gymnasts (and dancers alike) often apply "butt glue" along the outline of their leotards, according to Livestrong, to make it stay in place. "Butt glue" is actually body adhesive that was first used in pageants to keep swimsuits from riding up.

Why can't gymnasts wear nail polish?

That goes for manicures, too. Team USA gymnasts Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee have both proven they love a good nail-art design, but the way they wear them has to be within reason. Flashy nails that could distract the judges from the routine being performed are not allowed.

What do female swimmers do during their period?

Swimming during your period isn't a problem. However, you will want to use a tampon when swimming so you don't bleed on your swimsuit. Pads won't work and will just fill with water. The tampon won't fall out if it is inserted correctly, so go ahead and make a splash!

Do swimmers wear tampons?

Tampons are a great period product to wear while swimming. Simply insert one like you usually would, put on your swimsuit, and hop in the water.

Do swimmers use tampons?

Tampons are a great option for managing your period while swimming. Not only are they discreet and easy to use, the only thing you really have to worry about is concealing the strings in your swimsuit. Just be sure to change your tampon frequently, use the lowest absorption possible, and wash your hands before use.

How do gymnasts avoid wedgies?

Gymnast Nastia Liukin, the all-around gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics, told People.com that some gymnasts use an adhesive spray such as Tuf-Skin to hold the leotard in place, since picking a wedgie during a performance is grounds for a deduction.

Do female gymnasts get waxed?

Do gymnasts get waxed? Women gymnasts have come to resemble swimmers in their uniform lack of body hair— waxing being an unspoken mandate that has as much to do with aesthetics as with aerodynamics. (Well groomed in her appearance.)

Do female gymnasts shave?

"We are told not to shave all season long to let the hair grow out on your legs. Then when you to get a big swim meet you have shaving parties and shave your whole body so you feel more sleek in the water when you dive in."

Why do female gymnasts not have breasts?

And some are going to drastic lengths to remove them - or even to stop them developing in the first place. According to ESPN magazine, gymnasts push themselves to the 'brink of starvation' to avoid developing breasts and a host of professional athletes have spent a lot of money to surgically reduce them.

Why do female gymnasts have to wear leotards?

Leotards are often required by the studio to be worn during practice and in some cases, they require the same outfit when going to a competition. Safety is another reason leotards are required to prevent the child from tripping over loose clothing or avoid the outfit from affecting their balance.

Why are gymnastics leotards so high cut?

The cuts, to a modern eye, look dramatically different: "The leg line is higher, which [gives] the girls a longer line," she explains. The higher cut helps create the optical illusion that gymnasts, typically among the shortest of athletes, have longer legs than they actually do.

What stops period from coming?

Norethindrone (norethisterone) is a prescription medicine that can delay the start of a period. Your doctor my prescribe you three tablets a day, starting three to four days before you expect your period to begin. Once you stop taking the medicine, your period should begin within two to three days.

What will stop your period?

Birth control pills typically come in a 28-pill pack. Normally, you'd take three weeks of active pills, which contain hormones. Then, during the fourth week, you'd take placebo pills, which don't have hormones. But if you want to stop your period, you can skip the placebo week and start a new pack.