PURPOSE: This scoping review aimed to summarize the findings of studies regarding athletes’ perception of the impact of the menstrual cycle on their performance, as well as the prevalence of negative menstrual cycle symptoms.

METHODS: Three databases were searched and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used as guidance. 

RESULTS: A total of 489 articles were screened and 31 studies were included in the scoping review with a total of 12,060 participants and a sample size ranging from 12 to 6812 participants (median of 127). A wide range of sports and performance standards were included, from recreationally active (Tier 1) to world class (Tier 5). Of the included studies, 26 were retrospective cross-sectional studies (23 surveys and three semi-structured interviews), one was cross-sectional and longitudinal, and four were longitudinal studies. 

Between 2.8 and 100% of athletes reported their performance being negatively impacted by their menstrual cycle, and the main reason was the occurrence of menstrual cycle symptoms. A large variability in the prevalence of menstrual cycle symptoms was reported in the different studies mainly due to methodological differences and recall biases.  

CONCLUSION: Similarly, as to what has been reported in systematic reviews summarizing performance outcomes during different menstrual cycle phases, this scoping review showed inconsistent findings between the different studies on perceived performance impacts. There is a general agreement in the research community that more research is needed, but this review highlighted that the priority should be to perform better-quality studies to be able to compare the findings between different demographics and give better guidance to athletes. Until further high-quality research is available, efforts should be put in place to decrease the negative connotations around the menstrual cycle and provide education to athletes and coaches to increase the athletes’ confidence to compete during every phase of their menstrual cycle.

DISCLOSURE(S): 

i) GB and CP are consultants with Orreco, creators of the free FitrWoman menstrual cycle tracking app for athletes.

(ii) This research is part of the lead author’s PhD funded by Western Sydney University, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Orreco Ltd. No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Chelsea Oester¹, Dean Norris¹, Dawn Scott², Charles Pedlar^3,4, Georgie Bruinvels^3,4, Ric Lovell¹,⁵  

¹ School of Health Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia

² Washington Spirit, Washington, USA

³ Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, United Kingdom

⁴ Orreco, Business Innovation Unit, National University of Ireland, Galaway, Ireland

⁵ Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong