SAGA, May 22 (News On Japan) - Former professional soccer player Shiho Shimoyamada, who once played in Japan’s Nadeshiko League and for international teams, is turning her personal struggles with menstruation during sports into a push for change.
Recalling moments during matches when her sanitary pad slipped out from her boxer shorts, Shimoyamada described the experience as deeply embarrassing, though she can now laugh about it. Motivated by such incidents, she gave a talk in March at a high school in Fukuoka Prefecture, sharing her story with female student athletes and addressing how menstruation can interfere with athletic performance. She emphasized that women should not be expected to simply endure discomfort as a norm, a message that resonated with students who expressed their own frustrations—such as avoiding white uniforms during their periods or worrying about pad leakage during games.
In response to these challenges, Shimoyamada founded a company called “wagamama,” which develops products for athletes and LGBTQ individuals. The name reflects her vision for a society where people can live true to themselves. One of the company’s innovations is a pair of absorbent athletic shorts designed to manage menstrual flow while offering enhanced stretch and quick-drying features. These shorts include an extended absorbent pad to reduce the risk of leakage, particularly at the back. During her talk, students were surprised to learn about such alternatives, with many noting that they had assumed traditional napkins were the only option. Some voiced a desire to try the new product, particularly to avoid the discomfort caused by pads during hot weather.
Shimoyamada is also working on other apparel such as sports bras that suppress body movement and provide comfort without drawing attention to body shape. She believes the inability of women athletes to fully commit to performance due to menstruation is a reflection of broader societal issues, including unconscious gender biases. She expressed a desire to see a world where young athletes can focus on their sport without anxiety or shame, and where supportive products exist to enable that freedom. Her efforts are part of a larger trend in femtech, which is gaining momentum in Japan as companies develop new solutions for menstrual care in athletic contexts.
Established manufacturers are also responding. Unicharm, a major sanitary product company, has released pads designed to better resist movement by enlarging both the adhesive wings and the bonding surface underneath. These innovations were made with feedback from active individuals in mind. A company representative said the aim is to address slippage not just during sports, but also in day-to-day activities like work and housework. Unicharm is also promoting an insertable product called "Synchro Fit," which is worn directly between the body and the pad to help reduce side leakage during movement. As more women participate in sports and speak out about menstrual difficulties, efforts to improve comfort and performance through new technologies are steadily advancing, helping break long-standing taboos and enabling more inclusive athletic environments.
Source: RKB毎日放送NEWS
