The Timing Problem: Puberty Meets Performance

Puberty doesn’t wait until competition season is over. For girls in leotards or high-cut costumes (dancers, gymnasts, cheerleaders, tumblers), their first periods often arrive just as they’re training harder and competing more. That timing can feel unfair, especially when uniforms offer little room to hide a pad or extra layer.

It’s not unusual for a girl to suddenly feel like her body is working against her. For some, that first “real” period (heavy, unpredictable, a full week long) can leave them wondering if their sport is still for them. Parents often hear: “I don’t think I’m good anymore.” What’s really happening is a normal physical shift colliding with a uniform that wasn’t designed with periods in mind.

What the Numbers Tell Us

Recently, Eltee Sydney surveyed 2,302 tween and teen girls from across Australia. The results were stark: 63.9% said they had avoided or quit sport because of their period.

Avoidance rates were highest in sports with revealing uniforms:

Swimming: 67.6%
Gymnastics: 35.1%
Dancing: 28.4%
Netball: 25%

By contrast, less form-fitting sports like cricket, hockey, and tennis saw lower dropout rates. This highlights a critical point: the uniform itself can become a barrier when combined with the self-consciousness of early puberty and the unpredictability of periods.

Other common challenges included:

Cramps: 70.6%
Fatigue/tiredness: 67.4%
Leaks: 59.2%
Awkwardness with products: 58.6%
Feeling unable to perform at their best: 57.4%

Together, these concerns show just how much the period experience can chip away at confidence and participation in sport.

Understanding the Cycle, Not Fearing It

Periods are now considered a fifth vital sign in adolescent health. The average age of menarche is around 12, though some girls start earlier and others later. Early cycles can be irregular, a month skipped here, a heavy surprise there, before things settle down.

Tracking symptoms (with an app or just a calendar) helps girls and parents spot patterns:

Energy levels: Some phases naturally feel stronger or slower.
Pain or fatigue: Knowing when cramps or headaches tend to hit makes them easier to manage.
Flow changes: Anticipating heavier days avoids on-stage surprises.

The key message:periods are not proof she’s “less athletic.” They’re proof her body is working as it should.

Uniforms Don’t Care About Puberty

Pads can shift. Tampons may feel intimidating at first. Menstrual cups take practice. And leotards are unforgiving when it comes to visible lines, bunching, or leaks.

That’s why many athletes go “commando” under their costume, nothing to move, slip, or show. But this leaves them with fewer period protection options. Pairing tampons or cups with leak-proof underwear is one way to build in backup security without adding bulk.

This is where UnderDance by Eltee Sydney comes in. Designed to sit invisible under leotards and high-cut costumes, UnderDance combines:

Seamless cut: smooth under activewear, no lines, no ridges.
Absorbency: holds the equivalent of 3 - 4 pads (20ml).
Side bumpers: built-in protection against side-to-side leaks during full movement.
Second-skin comfort: stays flush, no digging waistband, no riding up.

It’s not about selling, it’s about reassurance: yes, there’s a practical option that works with, not against, the uniform.

Pain, Fatigue & “Misplaced Skills”

Growing bodies mean shifting mechanics. A gymnast may suddenly struggle with skills she nailed last month. A dancer may feel off-balance as her center of gravity shifts. Add cramps, bloating, or fatigue, and the frustration compounds.

Tips that help:

Extra warm-up time (mobility reduces cramp pain)
Targeted relief (a heat pack post-training works wonders)
Nutrition focus (iron, magnesium, and hydration really do make a difference)
Coach conversations (normalising the fact that periods can affect performance, but don’t define it)

Patience is crucial, relearning timing is better than quitting altogether.

Confidence Is Everything

A leotard can make a girl feel powerful on stage, or exposed the second she worries about a leak. Building confidence means giving her period solutions that don’t add extra stress.

Our survey also showed that 79.7% of girls wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing period issues with their coach, and 82.6% said they wouldn’t talk to their PE teacher either. That silence matters, because simple adjustments (rest days, lighter training, or different gear) could keep girls participating. Instead, many girls keep it to themselves and quietly drop out.

Mothers were the most trusted confidants, with 84% of girls saying they’d share their period challenges with them. But fewer than 60% said they’d talk to teammates. That means too many girls still feel isolated in what should be a shared, normal experience.

Parents and coaches can:

Talk openly, so menstruation isn’t whispered about like a problem.
Share that leaks, cramps, or skipped cycles happen to many athletes.
Encourage gear that feels reliable (whether tampons, cups, or period underwear).
Reinforce that sport doesn’t pause for puberty, and neither should she.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about medals or routines. It’s about keeping her passion alive through one of the biggest transitions of her life.

Will You Be At the Australian Dance Festival, Too?

We’ll be at the Australian Dance Festival, connecting with dancers, parents, and coaches to talk all things periods, performance, and how to keep girls thriving in their active pursuits.

ALSO! Score our event-only UnderDance bundle: 3 x UnderDance + a free wet pouch for $89.95 (a saving of nearly 30%).

The Takeaway

Periods don’t end careers. But silence, shame, and the wrong gear can. Whether she’s spinning, flipping, or leaping under stage lights, the goal is simple: keep girls doing what they love with confidence, security, and no apologies.