Mirai Nagasu opens up about competing on your period

Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu has opened up about competing while on her period, making it clear it is no big deal.

The bronze medalist, who became the first American female figure skater to land a triple axel at the Olympics earlier this month, told Cosmopolitan she didn’t get her period during the Games because it arrived while she was on her way to PeyongChang, South Korea.

But if her monthly flow had started when she was due to perform on the ice, Mirai would not have been too fussed.

Timing: The bronze medalist, who became the first American female figure skater to land a triple axel at the Olympics earlier this month, said she didn't get her period during the Games because it arrived while she was on her way to PeyongChang, South Korea

Let’s talk about it: Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu has opened up about competing while on her period, making it clear it is no big deal 

‘It’s really not that big of a deal. You just stick a tampon up there,’ she said.

In fact, Mirai, who experiences cramps on her period, finds physical activity to be beneficial when it comes to combating the pain. 

‘Periods can induce cramps for me, which I find exercise helps [alleviate],’ she added.

Cramps, in her experience, are similar to the muscle soreness often experienced by athletes, and they don’t much get in the way of her practicing.

In order to prevent or contain leaks, the athlete recommended panty liners for an extra layer of protection.

‘Panty liners are super helpful if you just want to protect your underwear,’ she said.

Silver lining! Mirai, who experiences cramps on her period, finds physical activity to be beneficial when it comes to combating the pain

Silver lining! Mirai, who experiences cramps on her period, finds physical activity to be beneficial when it comes to combating the pain

Advice: In order to prevent or contain leaks, the athlete recommended panty liners for an extra layer of protection

Advice: In order to prevent or contain leaks, the athlete recommended panty liners for an extra layer of protection

In case a leak does happen, Mirai recommends simply ignoring it. ‘You just have to pretend like it never happened,’ she added.

Mirai is not the only Olympian speaking out openly about periods. Gymnast Aly Raisman, 23, has broached the topic too in the hope of helping to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist, who is a leader in the body positivity movement, has also partnered with Playtex in her effort to normalize periods and the conversations surrounding them.

Aly, who was 18 years old during her first Olympics in London, told the DailyMail.com earlier this month that growing up as a young athlete, she experienced firsthand the stigma that girls on their periods often face in the athletic field.

‘I was actually really excited the first time I got my period, I went to my gym and told my teammates. It wasn’t always that easy for me, though,’ she said.

‘I remember I would try to hide my tampon in the palm of my hand at practice when I had my period, because there were no pockets in my leotards.

‘Experiences like that are one of the reasons I was so excited to partner with Playtex Sport for this campaign. It’s crazy that all females experience their periods, yet it’s often uncomfortable to talk about because of the stigma attached. It’s totally normal to feel embarrassed or ashamed of your period, but I encourage everyone out there to start the conversation so we can normalize it.’

The show must go on: In case a leak does happen, Mirai recommends simply ignoring it. 'You just have to pretend like it never happened,' she said

The show must go on: In case a leak does happen, Mirai recommends simply ignoring it. ‘You just have to pretend like it never happened,’ she said

Voices: Gymnast Aly Raisman, 23, has broached the topic too in the hope of helping to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation

Voices: Gymnast Aly Raisman, 23, has broached the topic too in the hope of helping to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation

As part of her partnership with Playtex, Aly came up with tidbits of advice for girls looking to make an impact in sports, which were previously printed on boxes of tampons available in three vending machines at athletic locations across the country.

Users could get a box of 18 tampons for free if they share their own sports advice on Instagram, with the hashtag #PlayOn.

Aly expressed the hope that Playtex’s efforts to normalize tampons in sporting institutions would help female athletes feel more confident by challenging the stigma ‘head on’ thanks to the public vending machines.

‘It shows girls that there shouldn’t be anything embarrassing or nerve-wracking about showing people you have your period,’ she said.

‘This is so important because 75 per cent of teen girls frequently decide to not play a sport or exercise because they’re on their periods, which is a devastating statistic!’

To the women, especially young girls, who feel held back because of their gender, Aly passed on an empowering message.

‘Be confident in yourself,’ she said. ‘Your gender does not determine your strength, your power, or your worth. You can do anything you set your mind to!’ 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk