Gymnasts often get their first period (menarche) later than the average girl (around 12-13), with studies showing mean ages of 13.6 years or later, but it varies, and delayed menstruation (after 15-16) is a concern for health, often indicating Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) from under-fueling, which can impact growth and health. While some delay is common due to intense training, missing periods entirely by 15-16 is a significant red flag for potential health issues and warrants medical evaluation.
You can do just about anything while on your period. Some girls get cramps really bad, which can limit your enthusiasm. But swimming, horseback riding, gymnastics, running, and other activities are totally possible. Just don't wear white.
It is well known that pubertal development, menarche, growth, and biological maturation are delayed in artistic gymnasts (12–18).
Level 10 is the highest level in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Program, but no one at her gym had ever reached level 9. At the age of 11, Simone accomplished this feat. This was astonishing because the only junior gymnasts who ever made it to level 9 were those who wanted to pursue an elite career in gymnastics.
High level athletes who do menstruate are used to competing while on their period. Some don't perform any differently at different points of their cycle. Others use various forms of hormonal birth control or other medications to manage periods and period symptoms.
Any changes in normal hormone levels can lead to menstrual dysfunction, especially in athletes. This can be caused by overtraining, stress, dieting and weight loss. Typically, menstrual dysfunction occurs when the amount of energy used by athletes exceeds the amount of energy taken in through nutrition.
Professional swimmers often use products like tampons or menstrual cups to absorb blood and prevent leaks. Elite swimmers may also use birth control to shift their periods. While water pressure can temporarily slow the flow of menstruation, your period doesn't stop in the water, so some form of protection is necessary.
Taylor Swift says Simone Biles made her interested in women in sports. "She's a strong woman, and what she does always feels like magic to me. She's a legend, and I celebrate her."
Gymnasts in level 7 must be a minimum of 7 years old and they much achieve a minimum of a 32 in the all-around to advance to level 8.
Simone Biles' "illness" primarily refers to her high-profile struggles with mental health, particularly anxiety, trauma (including from abuse), and the "twisties," a mental block causing loss of air awareness in gymnastics, leading to her withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her well-being. She also lives with ADHD, which she manages with medication and openly discusses as part of her experience, alongside general stress, pressure, and her decision to focus on mental wellness.
The woman, who goes by the name of mi-elskincare on TikTok, gave an insight into the beauty tricks that gymnasts use, and also how to avoid any razor bumps or ingrown hairs. She revealed that because she wasn't allowed to wear shorts, the gymnast was shaving every other day.
Many gymnasts (and their parents/coaches) fear getting their period which happens in stage 4. Menarche may start between the ages of 12 to 14 but can happen earlier based on individual development. Periods can be irregular and take some time to regulate.
Missed periods (amenorrhea) may be caused by stress, under-nutrition, or over-exercise — all of which can lead to something called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Other causes of secondary amenorrhea include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pituitary abnormalities, and thyroid dysfunction, among others.
Unfortunately, pads can be difficult for athletes to use since they tend to be bulky, and if you sweat a lot, you may struggle with finding one that stays in place during competition. "Tampons are not a bad thing," says LaBotz.
The most common reasons are:
Puberty Happens Later
Especially in young female gymnasts, lower fat levels and high-intensity training can delay puberty. It's common for them to start menstruating later than peers.
In 2009, and just twelve years old, Simone quickly moved up to level 10 and won the all-around title at both the Mary Lou Retton Invitational and the Rose City Classic.
There is no specific age limit to participate in the Olympics, according to the International Olympic Committee's official rules. While the default minimum age requirement is 16, some countries allow athletes as young as 13 to compete for their respective country.
Level 3 is not a required competitive level in the USA Gymnastics system, though many gyms choose to compete it. Q: What are the hardest Level 3 skills for most gymnasts? A: Common sticking points are the glide swing & pullover (or kip alternative) on bars and the cartwheel to side handstand 1/4 turn dismount on beam.
Following her big award win, Phelps took some time to send a four-word message to Biles on Instagram. "Congrats @simonebiles!! Well deserved," he said with the GOAT and hand clapping emojis attached.
At the age of 16, Biles became the seventh American woman and the first African American to win the world all-around title.
Travis Kelce has gifted Taylor Swift luxury items like a Rolex and Prada wardrobe, but also thoughtful, personal gifts like a bread slicer for her sourdough baking, while Swift's gifts for him have included personal touches like a sourdough starter and even a bread slicer for her baking hobby, with one of his "best" Christmas gifts from her being kept secret but hinting at deep personal meaning, showing a blend of high-end luxury and intimate gestures in their gift-giving.
If you use a menstrual product, it is highly unlikely that any blood will be released into the water while you swim, she said. In the instance that your period starts while you're in the pool or other body of water, the amount of blood would be so small that it would easily be diluted by the rest of the water.
There really is no 'right or 'wrong' age for your teen to try tampons, once her period has arrived. Instead, it depends on individual development, comfort, and an understanding of how to use them safely.
What can be said with certainty is that there is no solid evidence that hormonal contraception decreases athletic performance and that many elite female athletes use hormonal contraceptives with no apparent deleterious effects.