Introduction:

Menstruation in athletes, from a qualitative approach, is an underexplored phenomenon.

Objective:

To describe the experience of elite swimmers from a sports league in Bogotá D.C. regarding menstruation and their sports practice.

Materials and methods:

Qualitative descriptive study based on in-depth interviews administered to nine swimmers aged between 18 and 29 years, who were enrolled in the following categories: swimming races, water polo and open water swimming. The interviews were transcribed and processed using NVivoPro®.

Results:

All participants reported swimming while on their menstrual periods. For them, menstruation is a serious issue that affects their performance and well-being. The most relevant difficulties reported include the need to conceal and restrict it; psychological symptoms such as depression, and physical symptoms such as cramps; the lack of empathy from some coaches; the limited information these athletes receive from health personnel on menstrual physiology and menstrual hygiene management, and the lack of knowledge on alternative menstruation management methods such as the menstrual cup. Positive aspects include the support received by their peers and female coaches, who make them feel understood as women.

Conclusions:

Menstruation has an impact on the well-being and performance of elite female swimmers. Therefore, the physiological, psychological, and social implications of women involved in professional sports should be addressed to provide better support to these athletes, as this will contribute to improving their quality of life and overall health condition.

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