Hormonal
Menstrual cycle symptoms are widespread and severe in resistance-trained athletes, with 92% reporting symptoms and 76% reporting cramps, yet MC irregularities are not more common than in the general exercising population.
Expect menstrual symptoms like cramps and fatigue to be common (92% prevalence) regardless of your competitive level. However, do not assume your resistance training is causing irregular periods; your cycle regularity is likely similar to other women. Focus on managing the high prevalence of symptoms (like cramps and fatigue) through tracking and potentially hormonal or lifestyle interventions.
92% of participants stated they experience MC-based symptoms, with uterine cramps the most cited symptom (76%). Competitive-level athletes had a similar frequency of MC irregularities (8.8%).
Why this rating
Large sample size (n=809), but cross-sectional and self-reported.
Source
Menstrual cycle characteristics, hormonal contraceptive use and perceptions of related effects in resistance-trained athletes
Kimberly SantaBarbara et al. · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · 2024
DOI 10.1177/17479541241228986
More from this paper
- Hormonal contraceptive (HC) use is associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing menstrual cycle symptoms, specifically uterine cramps, in resistance-trained athletes.Moderate
- Competitive-level resistance-trained athletes are significantly less likely to alter their training load or volume due to menstrual cycle symptoms compared to recreational athletes.Moderate
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