Arsenal Women and Persil Team Up to Destigmatise Period Leaks in Sport
Arsenal Women and Persil Team Up to Destigmatise Period Leaks in Sport
Arsenal Women have partnered with Persil to challenge the stigma surrounding period leaks in football with their latest campaign, Every Stain Should Be Part of the Game.
Despite progress in women’s sport, menstruation remains a taboo topic, often leading to unnecessary shame and discomfort for athletes. While playing through injuries—whether it’s a bloodied sock or a gashed leg—is seen as a symbol of resilience in football, a period stain is still regarded as embarrassing. This campaign aims to dismantle that double standard with the support of some of the biggest names in the game.
The Reality for Young Female Athletes
Persil surveyed 1,000 teenage girls aged 15 to 18 and found that the stigma surrounding periods has a significant impact on participation in sports. Alarmingly, many young athletes admitted to quitting due to anxiety and discomfort around menstruation.
Key findings include:
6 in 10 girls have experienced a period leak while playing, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Nearly all surveyed had thrown away period-stained clothing, reinforcing the perception that menstruation is something to hide.
Many lacked education on how to remove stains, further contributing to the sense of discomfort around the issue.
Arsenal’s Role in Changing the Conversation
Led by Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, and Katie McCabe, Arsenal Women are working to shift this narrative—starting within their own community. Beyond matchday promotion, the club is running workshops and educational programmes designed to support young athletes and encourage open conversations about menstruation in sport.
Players like Williamson and Mead have spoken openly about the challenges of competing while on their period. This issue gained wider attention when the Lionesses successfully campaigned to stop wearing white shorts, prompting Nike to develop leak-proof base layer shorts. Clubs and national teams worldwide have followed suit, opting for darker kit options to ease concerns for female players / athletes.
While discussions around periods in sport are becoming more frequent, the topic remains uncomfortable for many. Arsenal Women are leading the charge in normalising these conversations, using their platform to empower the next generation of athletes. With initiatives like this, real change is on the horizon.
A Conversation That Extends Beyond Football
The impact of period stigma isn't limited to football—it affects female athletes across all sports, including equestrianism. Equitas’ Why Can’t We? campaign has been instrumental in opening discussions about the challenges menstruation presents for female riders, particularly the outdated requirement to wear white jodhpurs in competition. Inspired by athlete-led change in football, Eventing Ireland became one of the first governing bodies to permit dark breeches in all national competitions, offering a practical solution to a long-standing issue. However, other disciplines have been slow to follow, demonstrating that there is still significant work to be done. Arsenal’s campaign is yet another reminder that menstruation should never be a barrier to participation—whether on the pitch or in the arena.
