Former England star Karen Carney has been in many situations that would induce worry for the average person.
From broadcasting in front of thousands as a sports journalist on live TV, to playing in the World Cup and the Olympics, she’s not batted an eye, but there is one thing that certainly did cause her anxiety throughout her career.
Opening up to Metro.co.uk last week, the ex Lioness detailed how she had “massive anxiety” around her period while playing, especially considering England’s unforgiving white kit.
'I struggled to have conversations about my periods with women, so how was I supposed to talk to my male coaches about it?'
Karen Carney on how periods impacted her career, and the 'massive anxiety' created by England's all-white kitshttps://t.co/CyIgnh3zCJ— Kirsten Robertson (@kirs10robertson) April 18, 2024
In fact, it was something she experienced throughout the entirety of her football career, right up until she retired in 2019.
“I hated it. I’d go out in major tournaments and turn to my teammates and ask “Am I alright? Can you check that I haven’t leaked?” the 144 time internationally capped player recalls.
“That’s the last thing you want to be thinking when you’re going out onto a pitch in front of thousands of people, about to represent your country,” she continued.
“The anxiety was always there. Even if my mate had gone “Oh no Kaz, you’ve leaked” what could I have done? Could I have walked off during the game, or would that have made it even more obvious? There’s nothing I could have done, really.”
Carney also outlines that at that time, there was very little conversation around periods in general, not to mention how they might affect sporting performance.
“I think it [periods] always had an impact on me as a footballer’, she says.
“There was a fear of humiliation if you leaked, especially as a teenager. I remember going to one of my first England camps and we had to do swimming and recovery strategies, and I really wasn’t comfortable doing it.
“But I thought “Well, what can you do?” I struggled to have conversations about my periods with women, so how was I supposed to talk to my male coaches about it?
“Looking back, one of the biggest problems was the lack of education. My mum would say things like “Karen, you’re just not the same when you’re due on” and that was just an observation from her, she didn’t mean it in a bad or mean way. But imagine if I, and other girls, had known more about what it was doing to my body, imagine knowing it was doing more to me from a psychological standpoint.”
🚨 Karen Carney will chair a major review into the future of domestic women’s football after England's Euro success.
It will look at sustainable growth of women’s game - elite & grassroots. Key focus on finances, audience potential & structures (including prize money).
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/SnRKGD1uqP— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) September 2, 2022
Thankfully though, it does appear that things are beginning to change in that regard, as just last year the Lionesses made the change from white to blue shorts due to period concerns, and many other teams across different sports and countries have also chosen to do the same.
Carney is hopeful for continued progression in the area, especially in terms of catering towards women as their own entity, rather than just “small men.”
“If only 6% of research is conducted by women for women, we need to do something about it for the next generation.
“My niece has just turned 17 and I just want her to be happy, healthy and have the best education. I want to be a role model to her and make her path as easy as it can be…we really do need to have these conversations.”
