Menstruation and para-sport: intersections of body theory and disability studies

There is a growing body of literature that examines menstrual health, menstrual experiences, and menstrual stigma in the contexts of sport, physical activity and exercise. However, the field of disability sport has received limited attention to date, and the intersection between menstruation and disability sport remains unclear. In this chapter we examine the body through a sociological lens, and present three theoretical frameworks that we consider useful in facilitating the in-depth study of meanings, implications, and intersections of the athletic body, the disabled body, and the menstruating body. These include: (1) feminist disability theory, (2) dramaturgy, and (3) Mary Douglas’ work. We conclude this chapter with suggested avenues for future research to stimulate ideas about how the frameworks presented could be ‘put to work’ in sociological investigations that seek to explore the intersecting meanings and interpretations of the body in sport.