Hormones, menstrual cycle and sporting performance! Could this become a medical intervention?
- timetoheal1210
- Oct 26, 2022
- 5 min read
As England's female football team prepared for the European Championships earlier in the year, an unusual yet important topic was discussed. A look at hormones, symptoms and emotions experienced through the player's menstrual cycles. ITV news showed how analysing players’ cycles is having a positive effect on performance.*
What would you think if your coach asked you to download the Orreco app (FITR) and complete your emotion check? Perhaps ask what symptoms you have through your menstrual cycle or what days you are spotting or bleeding heavily?
As someone with a Pituitary Condition or other Long Term Health Condition (LTHC) are you openly discussing your cycle with your medical team? What would you feel if your consultant asked you to do the same thing? Here we show how these questions are not intrusive. But forward-thinking, supportive and show diligent care to either a patient, participant or sports person.
Utilising technology that works well for different people. Recognises differences. Lets the science do the hard work. Conclude with some top tips to stay in tune with your body. Knowing when you can push hard. When you need to ease off the gas a bit and let your body recover. Over time, this has the potential to significantly improve performance in whatever environment you are in.
A quick look at:
The benefits of tracking our cycles
What does the research suggest about our menstrual cycles and our ability to carry out everyday tasks and participation in sports and exercise?
What can be learnt and transferred from sport to medicine?
This blog was inspired by a behind-the-scenes tour shown by ITV news. England Women’s Football International Leah Williamson talks about how coaches are helping the players to stay well and track their menstrual cycles.
“I think it’s getting to the stage where talking about periods in sport is a normal thing in life and we shouldn’t have to be shamed or hide or think ‘oh my god’, it’s just part of life,” she said.
This was confirmed by Dr Ritan Mehta, England’s doctor, who said: “This is one area where we feel we can help and support and probably haven’t done it over the last five or 10 years as much as we could have done. The research wasn’t there and the understanding wasn’t there. (https://www.itv.com/news/2022-06-23/england-to-monitor-menstrual-cycles-during-euros-in-peak-performance-bid)
What is the importance of this work?
Through the female cycle, hormone changes take place. As hormones travel in the blood, they can affect everything from how you respond to training, to how you recover and how the body metabolises energy food. Prolonged periods or
irregularities/dysfunctions can play havoc with our bodies. Capitalising on certain training types and maintaining a positive energy balance are key goals.
The England Squad is utilising Orreco. Williamson explained how they complete the app each day by simply clicking symptoms and mood. If they are on/off their period and the flow level on their mobile phone screen. This is then sent to the coach through the FITR Coach app (cost involved) to analyse and use to support players. Gauging patterns when rest is required. Where injury may be a greater risk. Even when energy levels and mood fluctuations may occur. This is part of The Female Athlete Program. Specifically designed with World Class Athletes and their coaches in mind, backed by over 20 years of experience.
That doesn’t mean it's exclusively for them!
Transferable to medicine?
We may not all be able to access the full scientific analysis that the Orreco app offers. But it does ask the question of whether this is something the medical world should have access to? In my eyes, it should. Imagine the impact this could have on people with LTHCs. Especially those with endocrine conditions whereby hormones are already a topic high on our agendas. The thought of such an opportunity seems perfect for a top scientist to get hold of.
What can we do whilst we wait?
I downloaded the FITR app (available for free) By putting in my period dates I could see which phase of the 4 I was in. At each stage, there are tips on physiology (hormones), training and nutrition. I sat in phase 3. Then the advice science part begins.
For physiology I can expect:
Oestrogen and progesterone to rise
Increased HR at rest
Increased body temperature
Increased feelings of emotion and empathy
To feel more lethargic
For exercise and sports the advice is that:
It’s a great time to consolidate training from phase 2
It’s a great time to focus on flexibility
Low-level conditioning is helpful
Breathing difficulties can affect performance
This along with nutrition is shown for each phase. Then there’s the log section for notes. 5 levels of flow from none to very heavy. 20 different symptoms. Ranging from fatigue to cravings, cramps, concentration levels, and temperature. Then exercise intensity. Complete regularly by simply tapping those that apply to see patterns. Use the record to inform your day-to-day activities, and support active participation in sports and exercise.
They offer a 7-day trial of the full version which is exactly what the top athletes would use. (After that, there’s a fee to pay) The app also works with Strava.
Some simple tips to help women and girls feel more comfortable exercising & participating in day-to-day activities could try:
For coaches who download the FITR Apps, there’s some great advice.
Stay well informed and encourage participants to chat with others/provide talks
Encourage participants to download simple apps and track their cycles
Ensure there are private areas for changing
Consider the colour of the kit that is worn
Track mood and temperament
Signpost girls to period poverty access if and where required (Always launched an initiative to ensure that girls don’t miss out on activities because of a lack of appropriate sanitary protection)
Be sensitive and monitor attendance.
This is a hot topic and the research is growing. Chelsea Women's Football team, (who was one of the first to get this running), whilst other names pop up such as Tennis coach Judy Murray. Opportunities are available. A voice has been heard. Menstrual cycles are being talked about more openly. I’m excited to learn more! So get tracking and recording. Show your consultants. Show the medical professionals in your team. Show your exercise and sports teams. Let’s get this up and running!
*Please remember that these blogs are very real to us. We are on the same journey. It’s tough, slow and frustrating. Most of the Scenarios we face ourselves. Sometimes we find what we print useful. Other times we don’t. It’s included because everyone's journey is different. We have passionate perseverance to help others. To dispose of all content would be a waste and a disservice to our readers.
ITV - Behind The Scenes Of The Women’s
Orreco App
Orreco App - Female Athlete Programme
Always - Initiative To End Period Poverty
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