Wahome, E. N.Gathua, S. M.2015-09-292015-09-291997http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/13683A paper presented at the Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and dance 3rd Scientific Congress held on 11th - 15th September, 1997 at Nairobi, KenyaUntil the beginning of the seventies, there were always those who maintained that athletic activities during those who maintained that athletic activities during menstruation was dangerous and damaging to health. Others observed that sporting activities during pregnancy were lethal not only to the foetus but also the mother. There were still others who believed that long distance running by girls would spoil their womanhood. This was so until a few years back when women were allowed to compete in races beyond 3000 m. Some educators were of the opinion that swimming during menstruation increased the risks of water entering the upper part of the vagina. All the above views were based on instinctive judgement without any supporting scientific evidence. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the various gynaecological implications of women's participation in sports with reference to recent research findings. The' following gynaecological phenomena are considered: normal menstruation, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoe, menorrhagia and osteoporosis, pregnancy and general well being of females in sporting activities.enMenstrual functionReproductive functionWomen athletesPresentation