Blandine L’Hirondel: Athlete Supporting Women’s Health
Two-time world champion, third place at the UTMB in 2023, and fifth in 2024, Blandine L’Hirondel is not solely a professional trail runner. When she’s not training, this thirty-something serves as an obstetrician-gynecologist. Since December 2024, this elite athlete has launched an Instagram account @lagynecosportive to demystify issues related to female athletes’ specificities.
When a trail champion becomes an educator
Blandine was inundated with daily inquiries via her athlete account and recognized a genuine need. “I received numerous questions from confused women, but I can’t provide consultations via social media,” says the trail champion. So last December, in between training sessions, she began creating videos where she unapologetically uses a touch of humor and plenty of educational content.
Though the @lagynecosportive account is still in its early stages, its gynecology lessons are now followed by over 6000 subscribers. A promising start, but Blandine L’Hirondel aims to expand her reach beyond the community of athletes she currently engages. Her goal is simple: to create informative content providing preventive advice on the challenges and specifics related to female athletes. “I have many ideas to enrich this account, but first, I want to set the context by discussing training in relation to menstrual cycles, various pathologies, disorders, and pregnancy. Then, I’ll produce shorter, more targeted content to address specific questions,” Blandine explains, noting that this new hobby is proving to be a genuine pleasure. “I try to make a video every two to three days with help from my partner.”
Rethinking the basics
This Instagram account covers topics like painful menstruation, anemia, cycles, hormones, pregnancy, the pelvic floor, postpartum issues, and all these subjects that are still considered taboo and about which women lack knowledge. Why is this? The underrepresentation of women in scientific research. According to Juliana Antero, an epidemiologist at the French Institute of Sport (INSEP), “Women comprise only 35% of participants in sports science studies. Most medical, nutritional, and training protocols athletes follow are developed for male athletes.”
“Amenorrhea: The tip of the iceberg”
The gynecosportive aims to address all these questions and dispel the misconceptions and misunderstandings that shape female training methods. Women often overlook recovery phases and nutritional needs. For instance, they require more body fat than men. Any slight variation can lead to hormonal repercussions, and the most visible is cycle disorders, which can lead to amenorrhea. This condition can cause bone, cardiovascular, and psychological issues. Amenorrhea is just the tip of the iceberg. Blandine L’Hirondel understands there are many topics that need clarification. The challenge doesn’t intimidate her; on the contrary. “We know that one in three women will face urinary incontinence related to sports at some point in their life,” the gynecologist notes. Another taboo topic likely to be covered in a future Instagram video. Her mission is aimed at amateur athletes. “Often, I hear women say they’re not of my level and that their issues are minor. No, high-level athletes like us are better supported, have more recovery time, and access to information, whereas amateur athletes already deal with a greater mental load.”
The words are spoken, and Blandine L’Hirondel seems determined to challenge the issues faced by female athletes.
