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International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2021The effect of the menstrual cycle on physical performance is being increasingly recognised as a key consideration for women's sport and a critical field for further... (Review)
Review
The effect of the menstrual cycle on physical performance is being increasingly recognised as a key consideration for women's sport and a critical field for further research. This narrative review explores the findings of studies investigating the effects of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and objectively measured performance in an athletic population. Studies examining perceived performance consistently report that female athletes identify their performance to be relatively worse during the early follicular and late luteal phases. Studies examining objective performance (using anaerobic, aerobic or strength-related tests) do not report clear, consistent effects of the impact of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance. Overall sport performance can be influenced by both perceived and physical factors. Hence, to optimise performance and management of eumenorrheic female athletes, there is a need for further research to quantify the impact of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and physical performance outcomes and to identify factors affecting variability in objective performance outcomes between studies.
Topics: Athletes; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Sports
PubMed: 33572406
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041667 -
Cells Apr 2022Migraine is a major neurological disorder affecting one in nine adults worldwide with a significant impact on health care and socioeconomic systems. Migraine is more... (Review)
Review
Migraine is a major neurological disorder affecting one in nine adults worldwide with a significant impact on health care and socioeconomic systems. Migraine is more prevalent in women than in men, with 17% of all women meeting the diagnostic criteria for migraine. In women, the frequency of migraine attacks shows variations over the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and the use of combined hormonal contraception (CHC) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can unveil or modify migraine disease. In the general population, 18-25% of female migraineurs display a menstrual association of their headache. Here we present an overview on the evidence supporting the role of reproductive hormones, in particular estrogens, in the pathophysiology of migraine. We also analyze the efficacy and safety of prescribing exogenous estrogens as a potential treatment for menstrual-related migraine. Finally, we point to controversial issues and future research areas in the field of reproductive hormones and migraine.
Topics: Adult; Estrogens; Female; Headache; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Migraine Disorders; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35456034
DOI: 10.3390/cells11081355 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Dec 2022There is an increasing interest in female athletic performance-especially concerning the impact of the female menstrual cycle on training response. Indeed, fluctuations...
There is an increasing interest in female athletic performance-especially concerning the impact of the female menstrual cycle on training response. Indeed, fluctuations in female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, during the menstrual cycle regulate protein metabolism and recovery processes in skeletal muscle and may thus impact exercise training-related outcomes. Studies demonstrate that anaerobic capacity and muscle strength are greatest during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, when estrogen levels peak. In addition, studies indicate that resistance training conducted in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase-based resistance training) may be superior to luteal phase-based training in terms of enhancing muscle strength and mass. This raises the possibility that the physiological capabilities of skeletal muscle to adapt to exercise training are dependent on the menstrual cycle and can be important for female athletes in optimizing their training. In this paper, we critically review the current state of the art concerning the impact of menstrual cycle phase-based resistance training and highlight why follicular phase-based resistance training possibly is superior to luteal phase-based training in enhancing resistance training outcomes. Finally, we identify directions for further research.
Topics: Female; Humans; Luteal Phase; Resistance Training; Menstrual Cycle; Muscle Strength; Estrogens
PubMed: 35471634
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-022-01679-y -
Sleep Medicine Clinics Jun 2022Sleep and circadian rhythms are altered in association with the hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle and in the presence of menstrual-associated disorders. The... (Review)
Review
Sleep and circadian rhythms are altered in association with the hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle and in the presence of menstrual-associated disorders. The magnitude of the effect varies, particularly for self-reported sleep quality, which worsens in some, but not all, women when premenstrual symptoms emerge. Importantly, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), which should be treated to mitigate health impacts. Potential menstrual cycle variability in sleep quality, as well as upper airway resistance, should be considered when evaluating reproductive-age women. For research purposes, the impact of the menstrual cycle phase should be kept in mind when data are collected and, ideally, the phase should be documented. When comparing women with men, women of reproductive age should be studied in the early-mid follicular phase before there is potential influence from ovarian hormones.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Sleep
PubMed: 35659080
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.02.004 -
Pediatric Annals Jan 2018Irregular menstrual cycles are a common complaint among adolescents. There are multiple etiologies for menstrual irregularities. It is important to have a stepwise... (Review)
Review
Irregular menstrual cycles are a common complaint among adolescents. There are multiple etiologies for menstrual irregularities. It is important to have a stepwise approach, including obtaining a thorough medical history and performing a physical examination, when patients present. Understanding the characteristics of the menstrual cycle helps determine the etiology. This article discusses the differential diagnosis of irregular menstrual cycles, as well as the approach to evaluation and management. The common conditions and defining characteristics are also discussed. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(1):e23-e28.].
Topics: Adolescent; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances
PubMed: 29323693
DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20171219-01 -
Journal of Applied Physiology... Dec 2023Hormonal changes around ovulation divide the menstrual cycle (MC) into the follicular and luteal phases. In addition, oral contraceptives (OCs) have active (higher... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Hormonal changes around ovulation divide the menstrual cycle (MC) into the follicular and luteal phases. In addition, oral contraceptives (OCs) have active (higher hormone) and placebo phases. Although there are some MC-based effects on various physiological outcomes, we found these differences relatively subtle and difficult to attribute to specific hormones, as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate rather than operating in a complete on/off pattern as observed in cellular or preclinical models often used to substantiate human data. A broad review reveals that the differences between the follicular and luteal phases and between OC active and placebo phases are not associated with marked differences in exercise performance and appear unlikely to influence muscular hypertrophy in response to resistance exercise training. A systematic review and meta-analysis of substrate oxidation between MC phases revealed no difference between phases in the relative carbohydrate and fat oxidation at rest and during acute aerobic exercise. Vascular differences between MC phases are also relatively small or nonexistent. Although OCs can vary in composition and androgenicity, we acknowledge that much more work remains to be done in this area; however, based on what little evidence is currently available, we do not find compelling support for the notion that OC use significantly influences exercise performance, substrate oxidation, or hypertrophy. It is important to note that the study of females requires better methodological control in many areas. Previous studies lacking such rigor have contributed to premature or incorrect conclusions regarding the effects of the MC and systemic hormones on outcomes. While we acknowledge that the evidence in certain research areas is limited, the consensus view is that the impact of the MC and OC use on various aspects of physiology is small or nonexistent.
Topics: Female; Humans; Contraceptives, Oral; Menstrual Cycle; Hormones; Progesterone; Hypertrophy
PubMed: 37823207
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00346.2023 -
Sleep Medicine Clinics Sep 2018Subjective and objective sleep changes occur during the menstrual cycle. Poorer sleep quality in the premenstrual phase and menstruation is common in women with... (Review)
Review
Subjective and objective sleep changes occur during the menstrual cycle. Poorer sleep quality in the premenstrual phase and menstruation is common in women with premenstrual symptoms or painful menstrual cramps. There is increased sleep spindle activity from follicular to luteal phase, potentially progesterone related. Luteal phase changes also include blunted temperature rhythm amplitude and reduced rapid eye movement sleep. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome should be screened for sleep disordered breathing. Short sleep duration is associated with irregular menstrual cycles, which may impact reproductive health. Menstrual cycle phase and menstrual-related disorders should be considered when assessing women's sleep complaints.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 30098748
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.002 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Sep 2021Optimal nutrition is an important aspect of an athlete's preparation to achieve optimal health and performance. While general concepts about micro- and macronutrients... (Review)
Review
Optimal nutrition is an important aspect of an athlete's preparation to achieve optimal health and performance. While general concepts about micro- and macronutrients and timing of food and fluids are addressed in sports science, rarely are the specific effects of women's physiology on energy and fluid needs highly considered in research or clinical practice. Women differ from men not only in size, but in body composition and hormonal milieu, and also differ from one another. Their monthly hormonal cycles, with fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, have varying effects on metabolism and fluid retention. Such cycles can change from month to month, can be suppressed with exogenous hormones, and may even be manipulated to capitalize on ideal timing for performance. But before such physiology can be manipulated, its relationship with nutrition and performance must be understood. This review will address general concepts regarding substrate metabolism in women versus men, common menstrual patterns of female athletes, nutrient and hydration needs during different phases of the menstrual cycle, and health and performance issues related to menstrual cycle disruption. We will discuss up-to-date recommendations for fueling female athletes, describe areas that require further exploration, and address methodological considerations to inform future work in this important area.
Topics: Athletes; Exercise; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Sports; Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 34515972
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01508-8 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Mar 2017
Topics: Biomedical Research; Exercise; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Sports
PubMed: 27267895
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096279 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jul 2020Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) of family planning involve monitoring various signs and symptoms of fertility during the menstrual cycle to identify the... (Review)
Review
Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) of family planning involve monitoring various signs and symptoms of fertility during the menstrual cycle to identify the "fertile window," or the days of the cycle when unprotected intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy. Signs and symptoms include menstrual cycle length, basal body temperature, urinary hormone measurements, and/or cervical fluid and may be used alone or in combination. Fertility signs reflect both physiological changes during the menstrual cycle and the life cycle of the ovum and sperm. Women learn to observe or measure and interpret these signs according to the instructions of their chosen FABM and avoid unprotected intercourse on fertile days. FABMs are appropriate for those who choose to use them, are able and willing to observe one or more fertility signs, and are in relationships that support the use of a coitus-related method such as a condom or abstaining from intercourse on fertile days.
Topics: Family Planning Services; Female; Fertility; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Natural Family Planning Methods; Pregnancy; Sex Education; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 32169418
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.12.003