What it does
Unstoppable is an innovative menstrual short helping young athletes manage their cycle. It provides targeted relief from menstrual and premenstrual discomfort during training or competition, keeping them active, confident, and in sync with their bodies.
Your inspiration
Driven by athletes' demands to address the still-taboo subject of their cycle, the project tackles performance fluctuations. A 10-month field study and over 20 interviews confirmed the premenstrual and menstrual phases are the biggest barriers. Co-designed with a community of athletes and validated by experts in female performance and the menstrual cycle, this solution is born directly from their needs. Technically, this short is inspired by existing tech like heating period underwear but crucially adapted for the demands of high-performance sport and intense friction.
How it works
Unstoppable shorts offer athlete comfort through simple, effective tech. They feature readily available, reusable gel packs, safe and non-toxic, usable hot or cold. For soothing heat, cracking an internal disc activates the sodium acetate trihydrate crystallization, releasing heat up to 52°C (125.6°F) in seconds. This heat, from the salt's state change, diffuses for 30 minutes to 3 hours. The shorts also integrate menstrual panties with multi-layered microfiber (often bamboo) for optimal absorption. Designed for on-field use, athletes can change into the shorts with fresh menstrual protection after a long day. If pain arises, a heating gel pack is activated and inserted into discreet, skin-close pockets, minimizing movement discomfort and providing immediate support for training. Once pain subsides, due to exercise-induced endorphins or gel cooling, the reusable warmers are discreetly removed.
Design process
My design journey began with a three-month initial observation period in the field, coupled with semi-directive interviews with fifteen athletes, ten coaching professionals, and subject matter experts. In parallel with this observational work, I conducted extensive research as part of my thesis, which greatly enlightened and guided me on the current context in which this subject is evolving today. This foundational research led to the core problem statement guiding my project: How can design support young athletes facing menstrual and premenstrual pain to enable fulfilling sports practice ? Following this, I continued my field observations and meetings, which informed the development of three distinct concepts. Each concept underwent evaluation by athletes, and I gathered feedback from my entire ecosystem of stakeholders. The most promising concept was then selected for co-creation with athletes from my ecosystem. This collaborative phase was followed by an initial form test, re-evaluation, and a field test. Currently, an in-depth field test is underway.
How it is different
Many brands now produce menstrual underwear or briefs with pockets for hot water bottles. However, for athletic performance and competition, apparel needs a higher technicality. Just as no one performs optimally in tight jeans, textile and construction expertise is key to accommodating an athlete's full range of motion. Despite advancements, critical gaps remain: affordability for young athletes; the need for discreet pain management due to stigma (hence the project's choice of a short and wider over-short design); and the desire for versatile hot/cold therapy, which the integrated gel packs provide unlike traditional hot water bottles. To address accessibility and ensure high-quality technical apparel, the project partnered with Decathlon. Their textile expertise and commitment to affordability allow for a product range from budget-friendly to expert-level technical designs, making effective solutions available to a wider audience of young athletes.
Future plans
The project's future involves strategic collaborations. The aim is to partner with a designer clothing brand specializing in menstrual shorts, or to propose a collaboration with Decathlon. Partnering with Decathlon would add value to their existing range and standardize these shorts within their "Decathlon Pro" range for sports clubs. This would ensure every young athlete is equipped with the shorts, offering them the choice to utilize the clever pockets and heat pads. This approach would further enhance discretion and normalize their use among athletes.
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