Althouse: "When Heather Watson crashed out of the Australian Open this week, she put her poor performance down to starting her period ..."

January 21, 2015

"When Heather Watson crashed out of the Australian Open this week, she put her poor performance down to starting her period ..."

"... Publicly breaking the silence on an issue that affects all sportswomen. But why is it still something we never hear about?"

30 comments:

chickelit said...: But why is it still something we never hear about?

Because it's un-sportswoman like conduct. If it's true, it's hard to compensate for; if it's false, it's a crappy excuse.; 1/21/15, 9:37 PM
zefal said...: I suspected a few years ago when Kim Clijsters lost in a match in the first week of play it was because of this. Also when Steffi Graf struggled through a match at the French Open but still won and walked right by the TV commentator trying to interview her I thought it might be related to this. How often does a top tennis athlete menstruate in year? It probably doesn't happen that often that it coincides with a major.; 1/21/15, 9:40 PM
mccullough said...: She needs to man up. These tournaments last at least two weeks. A number of the players, including the champions, play well during menstruation and estrus.; 1/21/15, 9:43 PM
David said...: Other things we might not be hearing.

Women in Combat:

"Sarge, uh, I'm feeling a little, uh, crampy today. It's a girl thing, ya know, and maybe it's why I really wasn't into it during that firefight."

Lawyers:

"Just get off my case will you?I know my cross examination sucked. It's just that time of the month."

Secretaries of State:

"Truth be told, Mr. President, I just could not cope. Anyway, where the fuck is Bengazi? You try to think straight when pulsing hot flashes are soaking the whole damn bed in sweat. And they called at 3 AM? Jesus, what were they thinking?"

Guys:

"They just kept handing off to Lacy. What the fuck! I still can't believe it. Four days later and I still can't concentrate."; 1/21/15, 10:12 PM
Meade said...: With 5 minutes left on the clock, every one of the Packers suddenly got his period? I guess that does sort of make sense come to think of it.; 1/21/15, 10:24 PM
Meade said...: In fact, 4 days later and just the phrase "final 5 minutes" alone gives me menstrual cramps.; 1/21/15, 10:32 PM
dbp said...: If a woman is on the pill, it is easy to arrange her period to a convenient time. It is possible that they do not have a period often enough to make this worthwhile but then it is a roll of the dice and things like this can happen.; 1/21/15, 10:33 PM
chickelit said...: How long does it take to synch female menstrual cycles? Does exposure to an alpha accelerate this? These measures could help level the playing field for those playing the field.; 1/21/15, 10:37 PM
Meade said...: Under inflated kotex.

Kotexgate.; 1/21/15, 10:38 PM
chickelit said...: Under inflated kotex

Heh. Please don't squeeze that Charmin.; 1/21/15, 11:08 PM
John Lawton said...: In ice hockey, they have periods all the time!; 1/21/15, 11:37 PM
JAORE said...: I think female athletes should have to publish their cycles for the use by Vegas bookies.

Sweet baby geebuz, go ahead, talk about it all you want. To what advantage?; 1/21/15, 11:48 PM
Smilin' Jack said...: Please. There's stuff chicks can take to postpone their period when they have a hot date. It's the least we guys expect.; 1/21/15, 11:56 PM
jr565 said...: Transgendered women never have periods, because they aren't in fact women. Another advantage that a male woman has over a real woman when it comes to sports.; 1/22/15, 12:30 AM
Anonymous said...: I think its fine if a woman uses her period as an excuse.

I also think because women will use their period as an excuse, they should be paid less than men.; 1/22/15, 12:54 AM
Lewis Wetzel said...: Do I know this Watson person?
Usually, when I get near a young woman, she will begin to menstruate.
Sorry.
Laszlo would almost certainly say something similar, but I am not Laszlo.; 1/22/15, 12:55 AM
Clyde said...: If it bleeds, it leads.

Another reason not to elect Hillary.; 1/22/15, 1:03 AM
Nancy said...: How could the article have ignored Uta Pippig-- the 1996 Boston Marathon winner who visibly began menstruating during the race?; 1/22/15, 3:01 AM
Oso Negro said...: I used to coach swimming. Real girls pissed in the pool and bled on the blocks.; 1/22/15, 5:28 AM
Jaq said...: Women in the public service go on disability leave at almost twice the rate of men, a problem some experts say should be addressed as part of the government's new disability management scheme.

The federal disability insurance plan, managed by Sun Life Financial, is the biggest in Canada. A Sun Life report obtained by the Citizen shows women have ended up on long-term disability at rates vastly disproportionate to their numbers in the public service for more than a decade, especially for mental health conditions.

National Post - Canada

Girl privilege.; 1/22/15, 5:55 AM
glenn said...: Did she get all cranky and stuff?; 1/22/15, 6:06 AM
rhhardin said...: Mike Breen Segment of a 1997 Imus show

song: I am woman hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore..

Breen: ..A courageous effort from a lady golfer. Good morning,
Mike Breen with sports. The du Maurier classic, first round leaders
include Kathryn Marshall, who shot a 68 despite a severe migraine
headache..

Imus: ..You know, out of every horrible situation, regardless
of how horrible, comes some good..

Breen: ..Marshall said the pain was so intense, she nearly walked
off the course, mid-round..

Imus: ..aren't you interested in what this information is?

Breen: ..no..

Bernie: ..no..

Breen: ..but because of encouragement of the other players, she made it through, and Marshall thanked her fellow golfers..

Marshall cut: ..to all my colleagues, let me just say, to my
girlfriends in particular,..

Bernie: ..hmm..

Marshal cut: ..I love you all..

Breen: ..a special camaraderie on the LPGA tour..; 1/22/15, 6:18 AM
Phil 314 said...: She just needs to work harder and lose more weight and then that won't be a problem anymore; 1/22/15, 7:09 AM
MayBee said...: I'm surprised more don't find out they are about 4 weeks pregnant by throwing up on the field of play.; 1/22/15, 8:37 AM
Fernandinande said...: But why is it[period] still something we never hear about?

Since gender is a social construct, it's not supposed to exist, and it's harder to pretend something doesn't exist if you talk about it.; 1/22/15, 9:41 AM
n.n said...: For the same reason we don't have public discussions about our bowel movements.

Women have a choice: hysterectomy. No more menstruation. No more unwanted or inconvenient children to interfere with their profits. A liberal society already offers womb-bank services for couples who are infertile by choice (e.g. deferred reproduction) and orientation (e.g. couplets).; 1/22/15, 10:54 AM
Roger Sweeny said...: But why is it still something we never hear about?

Because to do so would violate Althouse's Law: One never talks about sex differences unless they can be framed as showing female superiority.

Since this would indicate that female play is not as reliable, it shows female inferiority and thus shall not be spoken of in polite company,.; 1/22/15, 10:54 AM
Jaq said...: Isn't it transphobic to have a period anyways? Since women with penises can't have them?; 1/22/15, 11:43 AM
n.n said...: tim in vermont:

It's like the white Hispanic, who is sometimes white and other times Hispanic. Sometimes they are transexual. While other times they are male. Whatever is opportunistic in context.; 1/22/15, 11:53 AM
Anonymous said...: Why don't they talk about it? Just read the snarky comments in this post.

Some people have no symptoms. Others feel completely drained of energy on the first day. I am sure that's what she was talking about.; 1/22/15, 12:25 PM