Alix Klineman wants to destigmatize women’s health

Alix Klineman will be adding a new title to her impressive résumé this summer: Olympic Beach Volleyball Player. In Tokyo, Klineman plans to use her Olympic debut as a platform to encourage women to talk about their health. Hormones and periods are not a popular topic of conversation in the professional sports world, and Klineman wants that to change.

On episode four of the My New Favorite Olympian podcast (below), Alix Klineman emphasizes the importance of de-stigmatizing conversations about women’s health. The four-time all-American volleyball player describes her experiences with menstrual health and the often overlooked link between exercise and periods.

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Klineman first got the birth control pill when she was in high school, a doctor’s recommendation, and she dared not question. After years of intense side effects, education and discussion, Klineman is now able to share her turbulent experiences and understand what really happened to her body.

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When Klineman made the decision to stop using birth control, she was faced with an aggressive case of cystic acne. Eventually she took the pill again to control the symptoms that occurred during her menstrual cycle. With her eyes on a Team USA commercial, Klineman secretly struggled to take control of her body and self-esteem.

“You can only deal with symptoms like this for so long. I really had low confidence and didn’t know how to fix it. I didn’t have the right resources, ”remembers Klineman.

After seeking medical advice, she faced a shocking revelation. A doctor said to her, “You know, there’s a big link between birth control pills and bone injuries.” As an athlete who suffered from various bone contusions while taking the pill, Klineman couldn’t believe she didn’t know about this side effect.

Unfortunately, it is not surprising that Klineman was unaware of the potentially dangerous side effects of birth control. Menstrual health is still a taboo in the sports world, resulting in many female athletes lacking access to adequate health information for women. Women in competitive sports feel the pressure to look and feel good while they consistently perform well and keep their hormones under control. Klineman certainly carried the weight of that pressure on her shoulders. That is, until her “fairy” stepped in.

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Dr. Georgie Bruinvels may not come with wings and a wand, but she has a broad knowledge of female physiology that helped Klineman gain autonomy over her menstrual health. As it turned out, diet was an important part of her treatment. Women need different nutrients at every point in their cycle, and a regular diet that varies from week to week is exactly the cure Klineman was looking for.

In a culture that prioritizes the science of men, there is still much to be discovered about female bodies and the way birth control affects them. With this newfound information, Klineman now encourages women to share their experiences with menstrual health, do their research, and ultimately feel comfortable talking about hormones and periods.

“For me it is really empowering to learn about my health, to find out how to treat it from the cause and root of the problem, and not just cover up the symptoms with these harsh drugs. I feel really passionate about it because I know how much it has affected me and my confidence in the past, ”said Klineman.

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“My New Favorite Olympian” is season three of NBC Sports’ Sports Uncovered podcast. New episodes come out every Wednesday introducing you to the most inspiring members of Team USA and the topics they represent. The series is hosted by Olympic pioneer Ibtihaj Muhammad and NBCLX storyteller Ngozi Ekeledo.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/alix-klineman-wants-to-destigmatize-womens-health/