Patna: In a quietly radical shift within Indian sport, Bihar is leading a grassroots movement to integrate menstrual health into the athletic training of young female athletes. A partnership between the Simply Sport Foundation and the Bihar Sports Department is not only fostering athlete development—it is dismantling deeply rooted taboos around periods and performance.
Turning Taboos Into Training Tools
At the heart of the initiative is ‘Simply Periods’, a menstrual literacy programme launched in 2023 and already reaching over 700 athletes and coaches across Bihar. Delivered through more than 20 workshops in Patna, Siwan, and Darbhanga, the initiative targets girls as young as 15 across various sports disciplines. While 82% of athletes reported using sanitary pads, knowledge of critical health indicators—such as haemoglobin levels or conditions like PCOS—was alarmingly low.
The project aims to shift these norms. Coaches, often the first point of contact for young athletes, are being trained to recognise menstrual symptoms and adjust training accordingly. Nutrition has also emerged as a key concern, with surveys revealing protein and micronutrient deficiencies that directly affect both performance and menstrual health.
A Digital Leap Forward
To bridge the gap between awareness and action, 2024 saw the launch of ‘Simply Berry’—a WhatsApp-based premenstrual syndrome (PMS) tracker. The tool integrates menstrual tracking into the daily routine of athletes, making period planning as standard as warm-ups or hydration schedules.
Innovation on Display at Khelo India
The upcoming Khelo India Youth Games, to be held in Patna and Rajgir, will feature the Simply Periods Kiosk—a first-of-its-kind menstrual health experience. The interactive space will include demonstrations of period products, pelvic-strengthening exercises, and seminars for coaches and parents. Athletes will also receive free care kits, and a real-time survey conducted during the Games will inform a landmark Menstrual Health Literacy Report for Indian sport.
A Model for the Nation
By placing menstrual literacy at the centre of athlete development, Bihar is offering a blueprint for health equity in sport. The state’s progressive approach is not only improving performance outcomes but also ensuring that young athletes are not sidelined by silence or stigma.
“This isn’t just about sport—it’s about empowerment,” said a spokesperson for the Simply Sport Foundation. “We’re seeing girls go from whispering about periods to owning the conversation.”
As Bihar prepares to take the national stage at Khelo India 2025, it does so as more than just a sporting contender. It is emerging as a champion of change—empowering its female athletes, one cycle at a time.
