There needs to be more awareness of what it’s like for professional athletes on their period, according to a pro golfer. 

The ongoing Olympics are pushing the best of the world’s athletes to their limits – but one unsung struggle for many is performing on your period. 

Professional golfer Annabel Dimmock told Lunchtime Live athletes are always aware it’s the “1%” that can mean victory or failure. 

“But this isn't just a 1% for women in sport,” she said. “This is a big, big thing. 

“When I'm competing and I'm on my menstrual cycle, it's a different mindset I have to take. 

“It's so easy to get angry - I find it a lot harder to control my emotions - [and] if I'm playing in the heat, I find my fatigue [is higher].

“I have to make sure I have a lot of food because I also know that I get a lot hungrier when it's my time of the month. 

“Only recently I really have started to do something about it... I’m learning more about my body.” 

Athletes on their period

Ms Dimmock also pointed out that for many women, their periods are not perfectly regular – so they can’t always prepare too early in advance of competitions. 

“I plan probably like three weeks out because obviously then I know exactly what's going on,” she said. 

“I won't be doing my heavy gym sessions when I'm on my menstrual cycle and things like that. 

“It's more I take into account more in my training than actually when I'm going to compete because I don't want to pull myself out of a tournament.” 

Professional golfer Annabelle Dimmock. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

The Jabra Ladies Open winner said it’s important to have more conversations about being on your period as an athlete, so girls are more prepared and ready to take part. 

“Young girls need to understand that this is something that they need to talk about with their coaches or even their parents,” she said. 

“I think there is still a lot of people that would sort of have the mindset that they maybe don't want to talk about it. 

“I think that's just because there's not enough of us girls, you know, openly speaking and making sure in a room with men that it's heard, and they understand what's going on here.” 

Ms Dimmock noted the Active Iron supplements are her go-to support when she is on her period and needs to compete. 

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