Her Struggle Doesn’t Make Headlines. But It Happens Every 28 Days
Ayush Singh | Apr 11, 2025, 19:13 IST
Hormones impact everything—from your endurance to your emotions. So why don’t gyms talk about it? Explore the science behind period pain, the mental toll it takes, and why Day 1 of menstruation deserves a place in the wellness conversation. Because strength isn't just about pushing through—it's about knowing when to pause.
It hits like a wave—unexpected, overwhelming, and oddly familiar. You're in the gym locker room, lacing up your sneakers, when your body suddenly feels like it’s fighting you. Emotions tighten in your throat, your eyes well up, and before you can talk yourself down, the tears come. Day 1 of your period isn't just about cramps and bloating—it’s about invisible emotional weight no one warns you about. Why don’t we talk about it? Maybe because crying in a space that celebrates strength feels like weakness. But it’s not. It’s biology, it’s hormones, and it’s deeply human.When your body shows up, but your mind starts to slip
The gym is alive with noise—weights clanging, playlists booming, and motivational posters yelling things like “No Days Off” and “Beast Mode Only.” Everyone around you seems to be chasing their goals, pushing harder, sweating more. And in the middle of all that drive, someone’s just… trying not to cry.
It’s not laziness. It’s not weakness. It’s Day 1 of the menstrual cycle. And for millions of women and people who menstruate, that day hits like a storm—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The unspoken contradiction between
In fitness spaces, hustle is glorified. The expectation is to show up no matter what. But what happens when your body literally says, “not today”?
Day 1 of your period often brings a brutal mix—sharp cramps, aching muscles, exhaustion, nausea, bloating, and a sudden mood drop. Estrogen and progesterone levels crash, sending your hormones into chaos. Some days, even unrolling a yoga mat feels like a struggle.
Still, most fitness environments don't acknowledge this biological reality. The dominant message remains: “Power through.” Any deviation is quickly dismissed as “excuses” or “lack of discipline.”
But here’s a different take—what if that moment of breakdown in the locker room isn’t a sign of weakness, but simply your body asking for kindness?
The Invisible Weight of Staying Silent
Despite how common periods are, there’s an eerie quiet around them—especially in gyms or athletic circles where performance is prized. No one wants to be seen as dramatic or sensitive. So what do people do? They bottle it up.
No one says, “I’m on Day 1, and I’m not okay.” Instead, they take deep breaths, dab away tears, and act like everything’s fine—while their bodies are waging an internal war.
This emotional burden builds up. And sometimes, it feels heavier than any weight on the rack.
Hormones Don’t Just Hurt—They Mess With Your Head
On the first day of menstruation, your body isn’t just bleeding—it’s adjusting to a crash in hormone levels. And that hormonal nosedive doesn’t just make you crampy. It affects your mental health too.
That unexplained sadness? The sudden irritation? The tears that surface mid-set or in the shower? They’re not dramatic responses—they’re chemical reactions. Your brain chemistry is being impacted by the drop in estrogen, which plays a major role in mood regulation.
So while everyone around you is shouting “mind over matter,” your reality is different. You’re trying to steady your emotions in an environment that doesn’t give space for vulnerability.
It’s Not an Excuse. It’s Biology.
Let’s be clear—resting on Day 1 isn’t opting out of discipline. It’s science.
Research shows that hormone fluctuations can directly impact pain tolerance, endurance, coordination, and even breathing efficiency. Your body’s core temperature rises. Inflammation increases. Your muscles don’t recover as quickly.
So when someone on their period chooses to take it easy or skip a workout altogether, that isn’t weakness. It’s awareness. It’s listening. And it’s valid.
Rethinking Strength: Can Fitness Embrace Softness?
What would happen if gyms welcomed softness, not just strength?
Imagine walking into a studio and hearing, “It’s okay if you’re not at your best today.” Or having access to low-impact classes, recovery zones, and menstrual resources like heating pads and herbal teas.
Real strength isn’t just about lifting more. It’s about showing up for yourself—with compassion. Especially on days when your body feels like it’s breaking apart inside.
Why don’t we talk about this more?
Maybe because periods are still seen as private or even shameful. Or maybe because fitness culture is wired to ignore pain unless it leads to progress.
But silence is the real damage. If we never make room for these conversations, people will keep crying alone in locker rooms, thinking they’re the only ones who feel this way.
It starts with language—trainers asking, “How are you feeling?” instead of “How hard are you going?” Peers checking in instead of pushing. Spaces that feel safe enough to say, “I’m struggling today.”
In today’s wellness-obsessed world, we talk a lot about mental health—but we often forget how deeply it’s tied to hormonal health, especially for menstruating individuals.
The early phase of a period can bring depressive thoughts, heightened anxiety, and emotional volatility. It’s not all in your head—it’s in your hormones.
So when someone breaks down in a gym or chooses rest over reps, maybe the question shouldn’t be “Why are they being so emotional?” Maybe it should be “What support would help them feel safe right now?”
We’ve been taught that progress means intensity. That you only grow by pushing limits.
But real progress? It’s sustainable. And sustainability includes rest.
Taking a slower day on your period doesn’t derail your goals. In fact, it helps you come back stronger. Ignoring your body’s cues can lead to burnout, injury, or even hormonal imbalances that throw your whole system off.
There’s power in pause. There’s strength in saying, “Today, I’m choosing to take care of myself differently.”
The fitness industry has come a long way in body positivity and inclusivity—but emotional intelligence still lags behind.
We need less cheerleading and more checking in. Less forced positivity, more honesty. Less “grind culture,” more grace.
It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about acknowledging reality. Hormonal shifts are real. Emotional fluctuations are valid. And empathy? That’s what builds trust in any wellness space.
Maybe it’s time for gyms and fitness studios to rewrite the rulebook. To include period care in training plans. To offer rest options without guilt. To allow softness to exist beside strength.
That moment when someone cries on the first day of their period—it’s not a breakdown. It’s a release. And it’s long overdue that we start treating it as part of the fitness conversation.
Because fitness isn’t just about how many reps you do or how much you lift. It’s also about how well you listen—to your body, to your emotions, and to your limits.
So next time someone says they need to slow down or step back, don’t question their discipline. Respect their truth. That might just be the strongest move of all.
fighting with periods pain
( Image credit : Freepik )
The gym is alive with noise—weights clanging, playlists booming, and motivational posters yelling things like “No Days Off” and “Beast Mode Only.” Everyone around you seems to be chasing their goals, pushing harder, sweating more. And in the middle of all that drive, someone’s just… trying not to cry.
It’s not laziness. It’s not weakness. It’s Day 1 of the menstrual cycle. And for millions of women and people who menstruate, that day hits like a storm—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The unspoken contradiction between periods and fitness culture
hormonal reality during periods
( Image credit : Freepik )
In fitness spaces, hustle is glorified. The expectation is to show up no matter what. But what happens when your body literally says, “not today”?
Day 1 of your period often brings a brutal mix—sharp cramps, aching muscles, exhaustion, nausea, bloating, and a sudden mood drop. Estrogen and progesterone levels crash, sending your hormones into chaos. Some days, even unrolling a yoga mat feels like a struggle.
Still, most fitness environments don't acknowledge this biological reality. The dominant message remains: “Power through.” Any deviation is quickly dismissed as “excuses” or “lack of discipline.”
But here’s a different take—what if that moment of breakdown in the locker room isn’t a sign of weakness, but simply your body asking for kindness?
The Invisible Weight of Staying Silent
emotions behind gym mirror
( Image credit : Freepik )
Despite how common periods are, there’s an eerie quiet around them—especially in gyms or athletic circles where performance is prized. No one wants to be seen as dramatic or sensitive. So what do people do? They bottle it up.
No one says, “I’m on Day 1, and I’m not okay.” Instead, they take deep breaths, dab away tears, and act like everything’s fine—while their bodies are waging an internal war.
This emotional burden builds up. And sometimes, it feels heavier than any weight on the rack.
Hormones Don’t Just Hurt—They Mess With Your Head
mental exhaust
On the first day of menstruation, your body isn’t just bleeding—it’s adjusting to a crash in hormone levels. And that hormonal nosedive doesn’t just make you crampy. It affects your mental health too.
That unexplained sadness? The sudden irritation? The tears that surface mid-set or in the shower? They’re not dramatic responses—they’re chemical reactions. Your brain chemistry is being impacted by the drop in estrogen, which plays a major role in mood regulation.
So while everyone around you is shouting “mind over matter,” your reality is different. You’re trying to steady your emotions in an environment that doesn’t give space for vulnerability.
It’s Not an Excuse. It’s Biology.
biological process
( Image credit : Freepik )
Let’s be clear—resting on Day 1 isn’t opting out of discipline. It’s science.
Research shows that hormone fluctuations can directly impact pain tolerance, endurance, coordination, and even breathing efficiency. Your body’s core temperature rises. Inflammation increases. Your muscles don’t recover as quickly.
So when someone on their period chooses to take it easy or skip a workout altogether, that isn’t weakness. It’s awareness. It’s listening. And it’s valid.
Rethinking Strength: Can Fitness Embrace Softness?
pain relaxation
( Image credit : Freepik )
What would happen if gyms welcomed softness, not just strength?
Imagine walking into a studio and hearing, “It’s okay if you’re not at your best today.” Or having access to low-impact classes, recovery zones, and menstrual resources like heating pads and herbal teas.
Real strength isn’t just about lifting more. It’s about showing up for yourself—with compassion. Especially on days when your body feels like it’s breaking apart inside.
Normalizing “Day 1” in the Fitness Conversation
periods blood
( Image credit : Freepik )
Why don’t we talk about this more?
Maybe because periods are still seen as private or even shameful. Or maybe because fitness culture is wired to ignore pain unless it leads to progress.
But silence is the real damage. If we never make room for these conversations, people will keep crying alone in locker rooms, thinking they’re the only ones who feel this way.
It starts with language—trainers asking, “How are you feeling?” instead of “How hard are you going?” Peers checking in instead of pushing. Spaces that feel safe enough to say, “I’m struggling today.”
Hormonal Health = Mental Health
menstruation cycle
( Image credit : Freepik )
In today’s wellness-obsessed world, we talk a lot about mental health—but we often forget how deeply it’s tied to hormonal health, especially for menstruating individuals.
The early phase of a period can bring depressive thoughts, heightened anxiety, and emotional volatility. It’s not all in your head—it’s in your hormones.
So when someone breaks down in a gym or chooses rest over reps, maybe the question shouldn’t be “Why are they being so emotional?” Maybe it should be “What support would help them feel safe right now?”
Rest Is Part of Progress
sleep well during periods
We’ve been taught that progress means intensity. That you only grow by pushing limits.
But real progress? It’s sustainable. And sustainability includes rest.
Taking a slower day on your period doesn’t derail your goals. In fact, it helps you come back stronger. Ignoring your body’s cues can lead to burnout, injury, or even hormonal imbalances that throw your whole system off.
There’s power in pause. There’s strength in saying, “Today, I’m choosing to take care of myself differently.”
A Call for Emotionally Intelligent Fitness Spaces
be calm
The fitness industry has come a long way in body positivity and inclusivity—but emotional intelligence still lags behind.
We need less cheerleading and more checking in. Less forced positivity, more honesty. Less “grind culture,” more grace.
It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about acknowledging reality. Hormonal shifts are real. Emotional fluctuations are valid. And empathy? That’s what builds trust in any wellness space.
Maybe it’s time for gyms and fitness studios to rewrite the rulebook. To include period care in training plans. To offer rest options without guilt. To allow softness to exist beside strength.
Final Thoughts: The Locker Room Tears Are Real—And They Matter
cramps
( Image credit : Freepik )
That moment when someone cries on the first day of their period—it’s not a breakdown. It’s a release. And it’s long overdue that we start treating it as part of the fitness conversation.
Because fitness isn’t just about how many reps you do or how much you lift. It’s also about how well you listen—to your body, to your emotions, and to your limits.
So next time someone says they need to slow down or step back, don’t question their discipline. Respect their truth. That might just be the strongest move of all.