How sports can help break a taboo that is still so pervasive

“Menopause is associated with old age, which itself is associated with death. It is a way of life, yet we don’t want to talk about it.” Yannick Sauvre, former leader of the French basketball team, European champion in 2001, is not alone in making this observation. Often, the topic of menopause gets swept under the rug. On the occasion of International Women’s Sports Day, Wednesday 24 January, franceinfo: sport wants to lift this ban.

Menopause is a physiological condition that corresponds to the definitive cessation of ovarian activity, and therefore periods. It occurs at an average age of 51 years (with individual variability between 45–55 years). “Menopause is taboo, just like periods were, even if it’s a little less so today. It’s something that’s not valued, it should be hidden, it should be hidden,” Catherine Louveau, sports sociologist, confirms. “Generally, a woman is clinically menopausal if she has not had a period for twelve months starting at age 48.” Explains gynecologist Carol Maitre of the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), which trains future French champions.

“Old age is ‘crap'”

Although every menopause is different, certain symptoms caused by this hormonal imbalance are common: hot flashes, joint pain, weight gain, sleep problems, anxiety, even depression.“According to representations of women, aging and menopause make a woman lose her value, unlike men. Because she no longer menstruates, she can no longer reproduce. Hence, the subject of menopause questions: Is she really still a woman? “ Catherine Louveau deep. “Aging is synonymous with ‘screwed up’. Once we hit menopause, when we’re no longer fertile, we’re good to throw away”,

1986 French windsurfing champion and book author Nathalie Simon in a nutshell Benefits of sports (Edition Hugo New Life, 2019).

In the sports world, this topic is rarely discussed because athletes’ sports careers end well before the onset of menopause. “In our careers, we don’t think about that. Once we retire, we kind of disappear from the news, so we don’t even talk about it.” Former skier Florence Masnada, a double bronze medalist at the Olympics in combined (1992) and downhill (1998), acknowledges.

“In sports, we talk more about success and goals than about physical condition. It’s the same for andropause in men and puberty in hopefuls, for example.”

Carol Maitre, Gynecologist at Insep

On franceinfo: sports

however, “Menopause is not a bad word, Nathalie Simon insists. It’s a time of life, with hormonal changes, but we have the means to adapt.”

Many benefits of exercise on menopause

Indeed, sports and its benefits can partially break the taboo of menopause and its consequences. “The changes associated with menopause are numerous, and most can be minimized by regular physical activity, whether you’re a high-level athlete or a regular exerciser.informs Martine Duclos, Head of the Department of Sports Medicine at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital and Director of the National Observatory of Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle (ONPS). The take-home message is: a little activity is better than none and it’s never too late to start. We will always benefit at whatever age we start.” urges the doctor.

“With the estrogen deficiency associated with menopause, there is a loss of bone (osteoporosis) and muscle mass, as well as an increase in visceral (intra-abdominal) fat.“, Lists Martin Duclos. Many of the symptoms that can be limited or reduced by regular physical activity are also beneficial in combating the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes increased by this deficiency.

Another effect: Hypoestrogenism associated with menopause can weaken tendons and ligaments. Here again, muscle flexibility and strength exercises reduce the risk of weakening. “Studies have shown declines in cognitive functions, learning and memory after menopause. Regular physical activity helps maintain cognitive functions,” Underlines the gynecologist of Insep, Carole Maitre. And to reduce your anxiety.

Athletes better off

Thanks to their intensive activity for many years, high-level athletes experience less of the harmful effects of menopause: they experience osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks and an increase in intra-abdominal volume and a decrease in their muscle mass. much less quickly. “Apart from the fact that I didn’t have periods, I didn’t feel anything special, Frenchwoman Nathalie Tauziat, a Wimbledon finalist in 1998 and still playing tennis three times a week, says former world no. Bodies change and change, but menopause has never stopped me from exercising or getting a good night’s sleep.”

“My friends, who are rather sedentary, told me how hard it was for them to endure these symptoms, while I only had a few heat strokes.”

Nathalie Tauziat, former World No. 3 at WTA

On franceinfo: sports

Former skier Florence Masnada is in a similar situation: “I never really asked myself any questions about menopause. When I had hot flashes, I said to myself, ‘Hey, what is this?'”, Jointly recalls the World Cup winner, who today alternates between swimming, walking, mountain biking, skiing, golf, muscle strengthening and yoga five to six times a week.

Visible effects if you continue to practice

However, being a high-level athlete does not protect you in the event of a complete cessation of practice. Yannick Souvre, former leader of the Blues, eight-time French champion and three-time winner of the EuroLeague with Borges, ceased all sporting activities after her international retirement. After more than ten years without sports, Yannick Sower faced the first symptoms of menopause, due to this hormonal imbalance. “However, I’m not a warm person, because highs teach us pain, but I had, in addition to hot flashes, terrible joint pains that woke me up at night. I also became more irritable. “I had gained about twenty kilos. . I had to go on hormone replacement therapy.” says the current director of the women’s basketball league.

While life expectancy in France continues to rise, reaching 85.2 years for women in 2022 according to the latest data from INSEE, breaking this taboo has never been more important. Some have already started. American Serena Williams was one of the first to highlight this topic by participating in the financing of a brand of food supplements aimed at eliminating the symptoms of perimenopause (the period of transition between the period of normal ovarian function and the post-menopausal stage). Menopause is considered firmly established) and menopause. “It is rare to see such a large, underserved and clear field of opportunity. As investors, we see this as an opportunity to support culture change with products that women need,”

said the winner of 23 Grand Slam titles.

“Seeing champions who embrace their age, and who talk publicly about menopause, can help democratize the topic. It’s inspiring to have role models, Congratulations to former skier Florence Masnada. It’s very powerful for Seanara Williams to talk about her own pre-menopause. It’s quite a megaphone.”