That Time Of The Month

I was very sick yesterday, but I hobbled to work anyway.  My right shoulder, my left hip, my lower back, and both of my knees were hurting.  On top of that I had caught another cold, the second in a couple of weeks.  Luckily, the classes were lightly attended.  Only three girls showed up for the first class, and Nay-Nay was a no-show for the second class.

Perhaps it was my illness that gave me the idea to consider buying a pack of sanitary napkins to keep in the gym.  I let the girls know that if they ever were feeling out of sorts due to that time of the month, I wouldn't push them to do the workout.  Also, I don't remember seeing any sanitary products dispensers in any of the women's washrooms at LaFollette Park.

I'm assuming that most male boxing coaches have not considered the effects of the menstrual cycle on exercise and/or don't want to deal with or talk about it.  I used to tell Alan at Loyola Park when menopause was bothering me, but he understood because he has a wife who had already experienced that.  Being a female boxing coach, I'm going to have to deal with that issue with female fighters in my class, so I need to be prepared for it.

Exercise, especially the strenuous type, can have an effect on the menstrual cycle.  For example, a female could miss a period because of it.  It happened to me twice before menopause hit, and after I ruled out other factors, I relaxed.  But some doctors believe missing a period due to heavy exercise, if it happens frequency, could have a negative effect on a woman's health.   For example, some medical professionals believe too many missed periods could be a factor in women developing osteoporosis.  Exercise is important, but all have to exercise smart to avoid injuries and complications.