Body image taboos and lack of understanding around female physiology are discouraging girls from continuing in sports through puberty, experts have warned. With studies showing that 64% of girls stop playing sports by the end of adolescence, campaigners say the issue threatens the long-term health and fitness of an entire generation of women.
Despite a rise in visibility and success for female athletes at elite levels, barriers to participation remain deeply rooted. Experts have called for a fundamental change in how society, schools, and sports organizations approach girls’ experiences of their bodies, arguing that misconceptions and silence around topics such as menstruation, breast development, and body changes are key reasons many young women drop out of physical activity.
Many girls feel embarrassed or unsupported when their bodies begin to change. Pain, discomfort, or fear of judgment during puberty often discourage them from participating in physical activities. More than half of girls reportedly skip sports during their periods, while others struggle with breast pain or concerns about movement and appearance during exercise. Around 40% experience urinary stress incontinence while playing sports, yet few receive proper guidance or reassurance that such issues are common and manageable.
Experts emphasize that sport can be a valuable environment for teaching girls about their bodies and building confidence—if handled with empathy and openness. Creating safe spaces where girls can discuss these topics without shame is seen as a crucial step toward keeping them active.
Coaches and educators also play a vital role. Many lack the training to talk comfortably about sensitive physical or emotional changes, leaving girls feeling misunderstood or unsupported. Encouraging open dialogue and body literacy, experts argue, does not require significant funding but rather a cultural shift in how girls’ health and wellbeing are addressed within sport.
Addressing these taboos could have wide-ranging benefits, including improved physical health, mental resilience, and self-esteem among young women. Experts agree that by normalizing conversations around female bodies and equipping coaches with the right knowledge, society can help ensure that more girls remain engaged in sport throughout their teenage years and beyond.
