Amber Glenn pushes taboo of periods in sports, says it played a role in her Olympic performance

U.S. figure skating star Amber Glenn is drawing attention not just for her performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but also for her willingness to talk about menstrual cycles in elite sport. After her short program in the women’s event, Glenn openly mentioned that she was on her period during the competition and that it had made things physically and emotionally harder for her, comments that are still rarely heard from athletes on the world stage.

The 28-year-old said in an interview with France Télévisions that competing at full intensity while dealing with her cycle was challenging, especially given skating’s demanding physical requirements and tight costumes. She pointed out that there is “a certain atmosphere of reluctance to mention it,” suggesting that menstrual issues are still taboo even though they can have a real impact on performance during major competitions.

Glenn’s candour came after a difficult short program in which she flubbed a key jump and dropped down the scoreboard before rebounding in her free skate. While she didn’t medal, her honesty about the conditions she faced resonated widely, with fans and fellow athletes praising her for normalising discussions about female physiology in sport.

Her remarks add to a growing conversation about how menstrual cycles can affect women’s athletic performance and highlight the need for more open dialogue and support. Glenn noted that athletes sometimes suppress discussions about their cycles, even though factors like discomfort and fluctuating energy levels are relevant to training and competition, which makes her openness particularly significant.

The figure skating community and broader sports world have increasingly embraced transparency around topics like mental health and physical wellbeing, but Glenn’s remarks are helping push that conversation further into mainstream coverage. Her willingness to speak publicly about periods at the Olympics could encourage other competitors to do the same, narrowing the taboo around an issue that affects many athletes but is seldom addressed.