--- title: Does the menstrual cycle affect how well female athletes perform? description: Athletic performance may vary across the menstrual cycle, with better performance right after the period ends and worse performance during the premenstrual ti url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-the-different-phases-of-the-menstrual-cycle-and-oral-contraceptives-on-1993/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle affect how well female athletes perform? Survey study, 1993 # Does the menstrual cycle affect how well female athletes perform? Athletic performance may vary across the menstrual cycle, with better performance right after the period ends and worse performance during the premenstrual time and first few days of menstruation. However, research results have been inconsistent. Early or limited evidence Female athletes during their reproductive years ## What they did Researchers reviewed past surveys in which female athletes reported how their menstrual cycle affected their performance at different times. ## What they found In surveys, 37 to 63% of athletes reported no change in performance at different cycle phases, while 13 to 29% reported improvement during menstruation. Best performances were generally in the immediate postmenstrual days and worst during the premenstrual interval and first few days of menstrual flow. Swimmers showed worse performance times premenstrually and improvement during menstruation and on the eighth day. Cross-country skiers had best times in the postovulatory and postmenstrual phases. ## What it means for you The effect of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance is unclear because past studies were small. Premenstrual symptoms like fluid retention, weight gain, and mood changes may affect performance, but not all women experience these equally. Movement, hand skills, judgment, and reaction time may be affected by premenstrual symptoms, but diet and blood sugar could also play a role. 37 to 63% Athletes reporting no change in performance at different cycle times 13 to 29% Athletes reporting improvement during menstruation ## About the study Original title Effect of the different phases of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on athletic performance Authors Lebrun CM Journal Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Year 1993 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199316060-00005](https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199316060-00005) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2022 Do menstrual cycles and birth control affect female athletes' training and performance? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Survey study, 2022 Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period? Study, 1995 Do women who exercise have fewer PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? Randomised trial, 2023 Does matching your running training to your menstrual cycle phase improve performance, recovery and wellbeing? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗