Well, I think it will affect me in like obviously pain because I think the last thing I'd want to do if I was in pain was go run a lap. But er…
I feel like I can't do as much as I want to be doing. I just feel like, in case an accident happens or something, I'm like dead always cautious.
I've seen like a lot of people not really want to do PE because they're on their period.
I think having your period, like while on PE is definitely like a big barrier. It's sort of like uncomfortable. It's like you don't like, you don't like the feeling of like getting all hot and sweaty as well. It's like really uncomfortable.
Sometimes like when I'm on a period, it might be a bit annoying having to do PE when I've got period cramps and you just don't feel like you can get all like physical like you usually do.
Wondering like, oh, am I alright to say anything there? But, basically I'm alright, sometimes just a bit awkward.
It would just be easier in like situations of PE if we could have like easy access to talk to the teachers, explain your situation without feeling embarrassed. I feel like it will be like beneficial to try and build those relationships.
Because we might not have the biggest connection with them. They wouldn't know like what we're going through and why we don't want to do it, or why we're not choosing to do it.
I feel tired and I just don't want to participate.
It's like nothing to be ashamed of. It's like something that you can't control either.
When I have to get changed, I don't want to get changed. But when I actually start running around and actually doing the sport, then I kind of enjoy it and it makes me feel better.
Yeah. The same. Like getting changed, it's a little bit hard, but then doing it, it's nice to be around people and take your mind off it really.
I think talking to people definitely makes me feel better.
I think that it would be like very useful to be able to talk to people. I want it to be something like, if we have something to say, then we can say it.
I think it's good to have your friends around just to like help and give you maybe some tips or stuff like that.
Yeah, it's just like everyone's going through at the end of the day.
Like even at one point they will be going through it. As Molly said, it's just nice to talk to your friends about it.
I think just everyone feeling comfortable and included. I think there are so many ways where we could share our feelings to make girls feel like more safe and respected in PE.
I think just don't overthink it. Everyone experiences it differently, but I do think you've just got to try to know how it feels and just go in, kind of full force, and don't let it like ruin the opportunities that you've got.
If you've started late or you started like very early and you're like, like we all go through it at the end of the day, so it's not very much of an embarrassing topic, I personally think.
Video Summary
In this video a group of teenage girls discuss how being on their period can put them off participating in sport, and in PE at school in particular. It features interviews with teenage girls discussing the challenges they face, and what can help them overcome these.
Teacher Notes
Use the video to suit your teaching needs, whether with a whole class or smaller groups, as a basis of, support or follow-up to discussion. It can also be used to feed into related curriculum learning about puberty, healthy lifestyles, mental health and wellbeing and physical activity. Ensure you have read the safe teaching and learning guidance before using the video in class.
There is further information on talking about periods in these Talking Periods films from BBC Bitesize for Teachers.
Depending on individual school, cohort or age group, pupils may want to view this video in a single sex group, to enable a more open discussion of the issues raised. Alternatively, you may want to initiate discussion in a single sex group and then discuss the issues raised in a mixed group.
Suggestions for activities and discussion
• In groups, ask the class to list the benefits of exercise to both mental and physical health, especially during puberty.
• Discuss periods in the context of puberty, including menstrual wellbeing. Areas could include:
o hygiene during menstruation
o pain/discomfort management
o emotions
• After viewing the video, ask pupils to discuss the issues raised by the girls in it related to periods and doing PE. What are the key challenges identified? If pupils are willing to share their own experiences, do they agree/empathise with what those on the video are saying? You could also share findings from the Youth Sport Trust that periods are cited as the biggest barrier to girls’ participation in sport age 11-13 (47%) and age 14-15 (52%).
• Using points raised in the video and other suggestions, ask pupils to think of someone who could be encouraged to take part in PE/exercise during their period.
• Ask pupils to create the ideal school policy for supporting girls on their periods to do PE. What changes could be made to PE in school to support this?
• Ask pupils to create some advice and guidance for someone to help them to carry on exercising during their period. This could be a poster, a booklet, a webpage, a magazine article etc.
