IT'S “normal” for female dancers not to get their periods, or for them to be irregular, right? Actually, no. It may be common, but we would not regard it as “normal.” There are multiple reasons why hormone balance is extremely important for your overall health, particularly for dancers.
There are many challenges a dancer faces at any given time. One that happens each month is menstruation. For most young and adult women, it's not a big deal. You use a pad or tampon, manage the cramps for a few days with some aspirin, and indulge in some junk food to satisfy those cravings.
Rigorous exercise undertaken by young girls, combined with a negative energetic balance, is related to substantial physiological changes in a competitor's body, often leading to hormonal imbalance manifested by: delayed puberty, delayed menstruation, menstrual disorders, and even long-term secondary amenorrhoea.
Protection. On heavy days, Streicher suggests doubling up: Wear a tampon and a thong panty liner in your leotard for additional, unbulky protection. Then, layer your tights over your leotard, or, if your studio allows it, wear dark-colored, fitted shorts.
Tampons are the most preferred menstruation product to use for dancers. They are comfortable and you don't feel them at all while you are dancing. Tampons are also a better bet because they are least likely to leak.
Avoid wearing pads under your leotard
Even the smallest of pads can peek out of a leotard, and there's a risk that the bright stage lights could make them visible.
Will you wear a bra with your leotard? For older dancers, the question of whether or not you can wear a bra with a leotard is common. The answer is: it depends on the leotard. If you prefer to wear a bra with your ballet leotard, you ideally don't want bra straps showing alongside your leotard straps.
A lot of dancers find it most convenient and comfortable to wear a tampon, but some girls, especially younger girls, opt to wear a thin pad. Wearing a pad is perfectly fine, just make sure to choose one with a high absorbency level and wear black dancing attire.
You may experience pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, bloating, and cramps that make it difficult to move around comfortably. These symptoms can make it hard for you to do certain activities and even harder if they happen while dancing!
To further relax and reduce period symptoms like cramps and bloating, “stretching and completing simple breathing exercises” can help. Music is a way to relax, and dancing can help you feel better. Whether you join a Zumba class or dance at home, it can improve your mood while also helping you burn calories.
DANCING subjects the toenails to quite a bit of trauma. This often results in conditions such as ingrown toenails, infections, bruising, thickening and fungal infections. Sometimes the nails can drop off altogether. Prevention is best but sometimes problems still occur, requiring a visit to a podiatrist.
Female athletes often like challenging workouts but their intense training makes them lean, reducing their capacity to conceive. According to fertility experts, around 18% of women dealing with infertility are athletes. It's a common issue in long-distance runners and professional dancers too.
When the bruising is caused by dancing en pointe, it is usually the result of repeated pressure to your nail. Pressure strong enough to cause bleeding. Tiny blood clots form under the nail, causing pain to the dancer as the toenail is lifted away from the nail bed.
It's Never Too Late To Start Ballet!
One of the best things about ballet is that it can be enjoyed at any age. Whether you're 5 or 85, there's always something to learn and appreciate about this beautiful art form.
At what age do most dancers retire? Most dancers stop dancing between 35 and 40 years old. Sometimes a dancer may have a specific injury that has forced them to stop dancing and sometimes their bodies are just tired from all the physical strength that is required for ballet.
Ballet dancer generally wear super or super plus tampons, and change them before class just in case. They are also wary of the string, as they are wearing a leotard and it may hand out. Ballet dancers, and people in all sports, generally just wear a tampon and call it a day.
It's crucial to practice safe sex while you're having your period because you could still get or transmit an STI, like HIV, during this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus and other pathogens may be present in menstrual blood.
You can keep an extra leotard, shorts, pads, period panties and/or extra underwear. We'd also recommend talking to a parent to express your concerns.
In summary, normal periods and balanced hormones are an essential aspect to a gymnast's overall health and well-being. If your gymnast has not started their period by 15-16 years old, I'd recommend a physician and dietitian nutritionist evaluation.
In class, for young dancers generally regular undies is fine. As dancers get older they may want to minimise the visibility of lines under their leotards and tights. The following are our suggestions for class: plain coloured seam-free briefs (so patterns don't show through)
Dancers do not wear athletic cups in place of or with their dance belts. Although, some dancers may wish they were wearing one when partnering a ballerina, particularly when there's an accidental knee to the groin during a rehearsal or performance!
Wear extra barriers underneath outfits for added protection.
Even if you're wearing a tampon or pad, you should consider extra protection too. Period underwear is an example of an added protection barrier. You could also consider wearing shorts or some type of added protection over your leotard.
Many tweens worry that people will notice that they are wearing a pad. Explain that pads (even super absorbent or long versions) are designed so they aren't visible through clothing. Therefore, nobody needs to know someone is wearing a pad or is having their period unless they decide to tell them.