LONDON — In a candid and powerful intervention, former England cricketer and 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley has called for an end to the stigma surrounding menstruation in sports, declaring that women "shouldn't be scared to talk about their periods."
Hartley’s comments come in the wake of criticism she received for discussing the topic on the BBC’s prestigious Test Match Special radio programme during a women’s Ashes match in 2023. The former left-arm spinner, now a respected broadcaster and podcaster, used the platform to highlight how menstrual cycles can impact female athletes' performance, training, and selection—a conversation still remarkably rare in mainstream sports coverage.
Breaking the Broadcast Taboo
While providing expert analysis, Hartley mentioned that a player’s period could be a factor in their availability or performance. The segment, intended to educate and normalise a fundamental aspect of female physiology, sparked a mixed reaction. While many praised her for broaching the subject, others criticised the discussion as inappropriate or "too much information" for the hallowed airwaves of TMS. Reflecting on the backlash, Hartley stated, "I just think it’s a conversation that needs to be had."
Hartley’s experience underscores a persistent cultural discomfort. For decades, sports science and public commentary have been overwhelmingly shaped by male physiology. Discussing periods has been seen as taboo, unprofessional, or a potential distraction. This silence, Hartley argues, directly disadvantages female athletes, who are left to manage significant physical and hormonal fluctuations without open support structures or tailored strategies.
The Performance Impact is Real
The scientific community increasingly recognises the menstrual cycle as a key variable in female athletic performance, injury risk, and recovery. Hormonal changes across the cycle can affect:
- Strength and Power: Some studies suggest potential for peak performance in the follicular phase (just after menstruation).
- Injury Susceptibility: Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can influence ligament laxity.
- Recovery and Metabolism: Core temperature rises in the luteal phase, potentially affecting endurance and sleep.
Despite this, a 2021 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that less than half of elite female athletes felt comfortable discussing their cycle with coaches or support staff. This communication gap means training programmes are rarely individualised for hormonal phases, potentially leaving performance gains on the table and increasing injury risk.
Leading by Example in Sport
The landscape is slowly changing, driven by courageous athletes. Football clubs like Chelsea FC Women and the US Women’s National Soccer Team have integrated cycle tracking into their sports science programmes. In 2020, British swimmer Aimee Willmott credited planning her training around her cycle for helping her reach the Olympic final. Tennis star Iga Świątek has travelled with a women’s health physiotherapist. These examples show that when the conversation is normalised, it becomes a tool for optimisation, not a secret burden.
Beyond the Locker Room
Hartley’s point extends beyond elite sport into everyday life and the workplace. The stigma surrounding menstruation contributes to a culture where women may feel unable to discuss health-related absences or request reasonable adjustments. By speaking openly on a national broadcast like Test Match Special, Hartley aimed to democratise the conversation. "It’s not just about sport," she implies, "it’s about women not having to hide a completely natural part of their lives."
The criticism she faced highlights the double standard often applied to women in the public eye. While male athletes’ injuries, fatigue, and health are dissected in detail, a biological process experienced by half the population is deemed off-limits. This silence perpetuates the idea that women’s bodies are somehow abnormal or problematic in professional spheres, including sports broadcasting and journalism.
A Call for Normalisation, Not Sensationalism
Hartley emphasises that the goal is not to make every conversation about periods, but to remove the fear and shame so it can be discussed as matter-of-factly as any other factor in health and performance. "We talk about men’s injuries all the time," she has noted, drawing a parallel to the routine discussion of hamstring strains or side strains in male cricketers.
The path forward requires action from multiple fronts:
- Education: Integrating women’s health into sports science curricula and coaching qualifications.
- Media Responsibility: Broadcasters and journalists treating the topic with informed normality, not sensationalism.
- Institutional Support: Teams and sporting bodies providing resources and fostering an environment where athletes can speak up without judgment.
Conclusion: A Necessary Conversation
Alex Hartley’s willingness to face criticism for discussing periods on air is a significant step in normalising women’s health in public discourse. By framing it as a performance and wellness issue, she challenges outdated taboos and advocates for a more inclusive and scientifically informed approach to women’s sport. The initial backlash only serves to prove her central point: the stigma is still potent, and therefore the conversation remains essential.
As more athletes, broadcasters, and coaches follow Hartley’s lead, the hope is that discussions about the menstrual cycle will become as unremarkable as discussions about nutrition or hydration. This shift won’t just help athletes optimise their training; it will signal a broader cultural acceptance that women’s biological experiences are not something to be whispered about, but understood and accommodated as a normal part of human diversity in sport and beyond.