Think your period is ruining your day? Heather Watson went out in the first round of the Australian Open after visibly struggling and feeling ill, and her explanation that it was 'just one of these things that I have, girl things'. As in, her period.
Suffering from dizziness, nausea, low energy levels and spells of feeling light-headed - which appeared to get a lot worse towards the end of the match - the 22 year-old told reporters: 'I get it sometimes,' she said. 'I'm going to go and see the doctor afterwards and see if there's anything I can do to help with times like these in the future.'
According to Annabel Croft, the former UK womens' tennis number one, being on the blob when you've got to perform is someting that nobody really talks about, and maybe they should. 'Women's monthly issues seems to be one of those subjects that gets swept under the carpet and is a big secret,' she told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'Women dealing with these issues at any time is hard enough, but actually trying to go out there and trying to play top-level sport at one of the most crucial times in the calendar year. It is just really unlucky. I think women do suffer in silence on this subject. It has always been a taboo subject.'
It's brave of Heather, then, to speak out and basically say 'guys I was on my period' without obviously actually saying those words, considering y'know there are men watching who would be totally grossed out by that. 'It's really frustrating, especially at the one time I really do want all my energy and to be 100%,' she said. 'But it happens and you're dealt with different cards on different days and I should have dealt with it better. It's a real shame and it sucks.'
So next time you're a bit pissed off that your period came on the day of that presentation, remember that you're not a high level athlete who has to perform superhuman feats of endurance for hours on end with those same stomach cramps.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.