The Hidden Cost of Excellence: When Athletic Pursuit Trumps Women’s Health

The pursuit of Olympic glory has long been a siren song for athletes, promising fame, fortune, and the thrill of competition at the highest level. For Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, this drive came at a steep price. As a rhythmic gymnast who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and medalled at the Commonwealth Games, she suffered years of malnutrition, overtraining, and menstrual dysfunction.

Kiroi-Bogatyreva’s experience is not unique. Many female athletes have reported similar struggles with their menstrual cycles, often being told that irregular periods are a badge of honor – “you’re really fit if you don’t have your period” is a chilling phrase that echoes through the stories of many athletes. However, this normalization of menstrual irregularities ignores a fundamental aspect of female physiology: menstruation is not just a nuisance to be suppressed or masked; it’s a vital sign of reproductive health.

When athletes neglect their menstrual cycles, they put themselves at risk for long-term health problems – from osteoporosis to fertility issues. The use of birth control pills can mask these issues, but also perpetuates the problem by ignoring underlying causes such as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). This condition occurs when the body uses up more calories than it takes in, increasing the risk of injury, illness, and long-term health problems.

The culture of athletic sacrifice is driven by a combination of factors. The sports world has always been obsessed with thinness, speed, and agility – qualities that are often tied to traditional notions of femininity. Athletes like Kiroi-Bogatyreva are caught in a double bind: they’re expected to embody these ideals while also being women.

To address this issue, we need more education and awareness about menstrual health, not just for athletes but for coaches, trainers, and medical professionals as well. We must rethink our definition of athleticism – one that values physical prowess alongside emotional intelligence, self-care, and bodily autonomy. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we approach sports, from training regimens to language used to describe athletic achievement.

The normalization of menstrual irregularities is a symptom of a larger problem: our culture’s disdain for female biology. We’ve medicalized menstruation, turning it into a condition to be managed or suppressed rather than a natural process to be respected. This has far-reaching consequences – from the overuse of birth control pills to the neglect of women’s reproductive health.

The long-term health consequences of ignoring menstrual irregularities are real and serious. Athletes who neglect their menstrual cycles risk developing osteoporosis, fertility issues, and other health problems. It’s time to start talking about these risks – and taking action to prevent them.

Athleticism is not just a physical pursuit; it’s also an emotional and psychological one. We need to redefine our notion of athleticism, valuing self-care, bodily autonomy, and emotional intelligence alongside physical prowess. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we approach sports, from training regimens to language used to describe athletic achievement.

As we move forward, it’s clear that more needs to be done to address the issues facing women in sports. Education and awareness programs, policy changes, and a fundamental shift in our cultural attitudes towards female biology are all necessary steps. It’s time to put women’s bodies – and minds – first.