Abstract
The knowledge and reach of menstrual support services are inaccessible for many female athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the awareness of female athletes regarding available menstrual support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the experience, cognition, and behaviour related to menstruation. Further, case studies were conducted to clarify subjective experiences of menstruation. Based on qualitative data analysis methods, the relationship between female athletes and menstruation was indicated by four categories: “Physical sensations for good performance”, “Female athletes do not want to be menstruating on match day”, “Female athletes do not find the right support for themselves regarding menstruation” and “Beliefs for competition”. It could be inferred that the various experiences of menstruation influence each category in a cyclical way, changing beliefs and coping strategies. It was found that the phenomenon of menstruation does not just accompany the athletes, but that it creates problems specific to the athletes, and that menstruation is present throughout the thoughts, feelings and relationships of the individuals in the athletes’ life, and that it creates difficulties, conflicts and coping.
