A gym has been accused of sexism after reportedly banning women from using their swimming pool while they are on their period.
The upmarket fitness centre in Georgia apparently announced the new rules in a notice posted on the walls of the women’s changing room. Written in red, it states: “Dear Ladies! Do not go into the pool during periods.”
One member took to social media to express her shock at the sign. Uploading a photo of the notice, she wrote: “Do you even realise how offensive that is? And, by the way, since according to your rules we are not allowed to use a swimming a pool 5-6 days each month, do we a preferential price compared with men?”
She captioned it #mysogyny #mysogynyinaction [sic].
Responding to the allegations, the fitness centre said it was “protecting” its members after an incident had occurred whereby a woman “contaminated” the pool with menstrual blood, ITV News reports.
Many people find swimming during menstruation helps ease menstrual cramps and other associated pain.
As tampons and moon cups collect menstrual blood before it leaves the body, most women and trans men who use them do not release fluids into the surrounding water while swimming.
Research has shown communal swimming pools can host a variety of bacteria, as tests have shown they mix sweat, urine and toiletries such as deodorant and makeup. However, most use chlorine to maintain cleanliness.
