Menstrual pattern and contraceptive choices of Portuguese athletes

Abstract

Objectives

Menstrual symptoms are commonly cited barriers to physical activity in women. Delay or avoidance of menstruation through hormonal contraceptives may mitigate those barriers. Our purpose is to identify the uterine bleeding patterns of Portuguese athletes, their contraceptive choices and the impact of contraceptive methods in sports performance. We aim also to compare the outcomes between users and non-users of contraception.

Methods

Observational, descriptive and comparative study based on a customised self-assessment online survey aimed at Portuguese athletes. Athletes had to be at least 16 years old and competing at a national, international or professional level.

Results

A total of 256 athletes from 18 modalities were eligible. The mean age was 29 years and the mean age of menarche was 12.8 years. Monthly bleeding pattern was prevailing and 50% presented dysmenorrhoea. More than 85% experience fluctuations in sports performance throughout the month. The majority (71.5%) used contraceptive methods. Only 16% believed that contraception decreased sports performance. Contraceptive users exhibit a lower mean body mass index, blood loss and percentage of dysmenorrhoea than the non-users.

Conclusion

Most athletes had the perception that performance varies throughout the month. The majority of participants do not report amenorrhoea and have monthly menses. The use of contraceptive methods is reportedly high, benefit cycle control and apparently without any physical inconvenience.

摘要

目的：经期症状是女性体力活动的常见障碍。通过激素避孕药推迟或避免月经可能会减轻这些障碍。我们的目的是确定葡萄牙运动员的子宫出血模式, 他们的避孕药选择, 以及避孕药方法对运动成绩的影响。比较避孕药使用者和非使用者之间的结果也是我们的目标。方法：基于针对葡萄牙运动员的定制在线自我评估调查进行观察性、描述性和比较性研究。运动员必须年满16岁, 并在国家、国际或专业水平上竞争。结果：共有来自18种运动的256名运动员入选。平均年龄29岁, 初潮平均年龄12.8岁。月经模式以正常周期为主, 50%出现痛经。超过85%的人在整个月内存在运动成绩的波动。大多数人(71.5%)使用避孕方法。只有16%的人认为避孕会降低运动成绩。避孕药使用者的平均体重指数、失血量和痛经百分比低于不使用避孕药的人。结论：大多数运动员认为整个月内的表现各不相同。大多数参与者没有报告闭经, 而且每月都有月经。据报道, 避孕方法的使用率很高, 受益周期可控, 而且显然没有任何机体不适。

Keywords:

• Contraception
• athletic performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).