How much do you know about the links between menstruation and performance? For many of us, it’s a topic we didn’t talk about much at school — but times are changing. At our recent ACHPER NSW masterclass, Dr Kylie Steel explored how hormonal changes across the cycle can influence not only athletic performance but also concentration, confidence, and classroom participation. The session sparked open and honest conversation about what this means for teachers, coaches, and the students we work with every day.
The Role of Hormones in Learning and Performance
Dr Steel began by stepping us through the role of hormones across the female lifespan. It’s easy to reduce the menstrual cycle to “a few days each month,” but the reality is far more complex, and far more relevant to how students learn and move.
At peak reproductive levels, hormones like oestrogen and progesterone support muscle growth, protect brain health, and even help us think more clearly. But as these hormones fluctuate, so too do energy levels, cognitive sharpness, and even metabolism. For adolescents, this means the jump from childhood into puberty brings not just visible changes but also a rollercoaster of internal shifts that affect mood, concentration, and performance in PE.
Dr Steel also reminded us that these hormonal changes aren’t limited to the teenage years. Stages like perimenopause and menopause bring their own peaks and troughs, with impacts on cognition, muscle strength, and mental health. Her key message? Hormones are not just “biology in the background” – they shape how young people (and adults) show up in the classroom, on the sports field, and in everyday life.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle in Education
When we talk about the menstrual cycle, many people still think of it as “just the bleeding phase.” Dr Steel was quick to point out that menstruation is only one part of a much bigger picture. Across roughly 28 days (though cycles can be shorter or longer), hormone levels rise and fall, shaping everything from energy to emotions to cognitive performance.
When we talk about the menstrual cycle, many people still think of it as “just the bleeding phase.” Dr Steel was quick to point out that menstruation is only one part of a much bigger picture. Across roughly 28 days (though cycles can be shorter or longer), hormone levels rise and fall, shaping everything from energy to emotions to cognitive performance.
Physical symptoms like cramps, fatigue, and headaches are well known — but emotional and social factors matter just as much. Students often juggle worries about discomfort, concentration, or even something as simple as checking uniforms during PE. These layers of distraction can reduce participation and confidence, even when the student wants to be involved.
The key takeaway? Every cycle is different, and every student’s experience is unique. Some may barely notice symptoms, while others deal with significant pain or irregularity. For teachers and coaches, awareness of this variability is essential. Supporting students isn’t about lowering expectations — it’s about recognising the invisible load they may be carrying and creating conditions where participation feels safe and manageable.
Menstruation, Injury Risk and Sports Performance
One of the hottest topics in recent years has been the link between menstrual cycle phases and injury risk — particularly ACL ruptures in female athletes. Some studies suggest hormonal fluctuations may increase ligament laxity, while others point to different factors such as training history, recovery time, and even equipment design.
Dr Steel explained that while hormones may play a role, they’re not the whole story. Many female athletes enter elite sport without the same long training base as their male counterparts, meaning their bodies are underprepared for the sudden demands of professional competition. Add to that equipment like boots designed for men’s feet, or training and competition schedules that don’t allow adequate recovery, and the injury picture becomes more complex.
The bottom line? Research is growing rapidly, but there’s no single answer yet. What we do know is that menstruation matters – and that awareness, support, and open conversation are crucial steps in helping young people manage participation and performance safely.
Breaking the Stigma: Normalising Menstruation in Schools
If there was one message that resonated throughout the masterclass, it was this: the biggest barrier isn’t biology, it’s silence.
Despite progress in recent years, menstruation is still treated as something private, awkward, or even “gross.” For students, that stigma often translates into sitting out of PE, hiding pain, or quietly managing heavy flow days while trying not to be noticed.
Normalising the conversation means:
- Equipping all teachers — not just HPE staff — to feel confident discussing menstrual health.
- Creating inclusive spaces where boys and young men also learn what the cycle involves, so they can support their peers.
- Recognising cultural differences: in some communities, menstruation is considered strictly “women’s business,” while in others it’s rarely discussed at all.
- Small changes have a big impact: a teacher’s willingness to listen without judgement, a male coach openly acknowledging menstrual health, or a school ensuring products are easily accessible.
These actions send a clear signal that menstruation is normal, manageable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Practical Strategies for Teachers and Coaches
Dr Steel shared some simple but impactful strategies that schools and coaches can put in place:
- Uniform choices: Darker colours and flexible options reduce anxiety about leaks and help students feel comfortable participating.
- Access to products: Make pads and tampons readily available in PE change rooms, not just at the front office.
- Teacher confidence: Build staff knowledge beyond the biology — equip teachers with strategies to support symptoms and understand what’s normal.
- Inclusive conversations: Involve boys in discussions to help reduce stigma.
- Student voice: Encourage open discussion about comfort levels and participation.
These are not “extras” — they’re practical ways of ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and included in learning and PE.
Conclusion: Menstrual Health as an Equity Issue
The takeaway from this masterclass was clear: menstrual health is not just a health issue, it’s an education and equity issue. Hormones influence cognition, mood, performance, and participation — but stigma and silence amplify the challenges far more than the biology itself.
As teachers and coaches, we have a responsibility to create environments where students don’t feel excluded, embarrassed, or held back by their cycle. By normalising the conversation, understanding the research, and putting practical supports in place, we can ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive.
👉 Want to build your confidence in teaching sensitive health topics and supporting student participation? Explore ACHPER NSW’s professional learning workshops
Further Resources on Menstrual Health in Education
- Global Alliance for Female Athletes (GAFA): Educational modules, tools, and podcasts to support athletes and dispel myths
- AIS Female Performance & Health Initiative (FPHI): Infographics, online modules, and athlete stories on menstruation, puberty, reproductive health, and performance
- Share the Dignity Education Hub: Practical lesson plans and resources to break stigma and improve product access in schools
- Raising Children Network: Parent-friendly puberty and menstruation resources