Female athletes have been urged to confide in someone whenever they are going through their periods during major championships and are unable to perform at peak levels.
Former world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei said menstruation periods are huge stumbling block to female athletes' careers hence they should not suffer alone in silence.
"Imagine you are heading into the finals of the championships and then... boom!... things happen. It is not as easy as many people think. Some of us have had to brave the pain, challenges and the results that come with such situations,” said Jepkosgei.
She added: “As a young athlete, there is that one person you trust in the team, either a female coach or fellow athlete. You can share with them what you are going through.”
The former Olympic Games 800m silver medalist said menstruation periods are especially tough for young female athletes who — due to their inexperience on a global stage — may elect to drop out of competition all together.
“This issue has affected many. Some may choose not to compete at all or skip some races because of the stigma faced in the previous events and the embarrassment that comes with it,” she said.
Echoing Jepkosgei sentiments, former world 3,000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos said many female athletes lose the motivation to continue running due to menstruation as well as in the aftermath of maternity leave.
“The life of a girl in sports is quite short. We have lost many of them who no longer feel passionate about athletics after maternity leave whereas others drop out due to stigma faced during menstruation," Chemos, who serves as athletes’ representative at Athletics Kenya, said.
She pointed out that there are special pants, which can be worn in competition by menstruating athletes and urged that young athletes be enlightened on the same.
" As a senior athlete, I would rather look for the best way possible to secure that medal or win for both you as an athlete and the country at large,” she said.
Jepkosgei and Chemos pointed to themselves — as well as Olympics 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon — as evidence that female athletes can bounce back from motherhood to shine on the track and field.
"Being in maternity is not a crime and majority of us have been there and came out strongly to deliver in many occasions.Look at Kipyegon, she was in maternity and now she has set her life better. I was also in maternity just like Chemos (Milcah) among others and we are doing well in our careers,” Jepkosgei said.
Adding his voice to the discussion, double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge advocated for more support to enable female athletes overcome these unique challenges and realise their potential.
“This topic looks sensitive but we must talk about it fully. Menstruation periods and maternity are natural courses and no one should be ashamed to share their experience or such challenges that they are undergoing,” he said.
