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?”

One gym member uploaded a photo of the notice to social media to express her disapproval (Facebook)

She captioned it #mysogyny #mysogynyinaction [sic].

What if men had periods?

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.

Period euphemisms around the World Show all 8 1 /8 Period euphemisms around the World Period euphemisms around the World Germany 'Erdbeerwoche': translates as 'strawberry week' iStock Period euphemisms around the World France 'Les Anglais out debarque' or 'The English have arrived' referring to past wars with England and possibly the British army's red coats Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Brazil 'Eustou Com Chico' or "I'm with Chico' in reference to socialist Chico Mendes and possibly his gruesome assassination in the late 80's Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Finland The Finnish affectionately refer to periods and pms as 'Hullum Lechman Tauti' or 'mad cow disease' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World The United States Though there are many varied terms, a popular americans commonly refer to periods as 'Aunt Flo' iStock Period euphemisms around the World China In China you may hear 'its little sister to come in' iStock Period euphemisms around the World Denmark 'Der Er Kommunister i Lysthuset' or 'There are communists in the funhouse' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World South Africa A famed colloquialism for a period in South Africa is 'Grannys stuck in traffic' iStock