Menstrual Cycle and Sports
The phase of menstrual cycle plays a crucial role in determining the performance of a female athlete. Usually the cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days and the phase may last from 2 to 9 days. In the menstrual phase there is a periodic discharge of 25 to 65ml of blood and tissue fluid. The onset of the menarche is affected by genetic, socio-economic, and climatic factors.
Stress and Menstrual Cycle
Stress can either shorten or lengthen the menstrual cycle. Athletes, going to high altitudes to compete or train have added stress owing to the lack of oxygen, which usually shortens the cycle.
How Menstruation Affects Sports Life?
The Mid –luteal Phase
The mid-luteal phase of the cycle is about a week before actual menstruation. Usually females at this phase may be troubled by depression, fatigue, confusion and lack of agility. However, researches show that at this stage muscle glycogen storage is about 22% higher in the leg muscles of females compared to the period before ovulation. This would give added advantage to the endurance runners. However for speedy activities like swimming, cycling, or sprint events the ideal time is the two weeks before ovulation.
Iron Deficiency due to Blood Loss
Sports women engaging in high intensity training are susceptible to iron-deficiency or anemia because of blood losses during menstruation. They need higher than normal levels of hemoglobin to meet the oxygen levels demanded by high intensity training.
Adjusting the Menstrual Cycle
Taking hormones like estrogen and progesterone helps adjust the time of menstruation. However, non-menstruating sportswomen and those who are taking oral contraceptives, which provide low, steady doses of progesterone, don’t have a normal mid-luteal phase, and hence no need to worry about negative psychological and physical changes.
Competing during Menstrual Phase
There is no physiological reason why training or competition should be avoided during menstruation unless the athlete experiences extreme discomfort. The type and intensity of training could be changed to cope with the difficulties. Many athletes prefer tampon protection during some phase of menstrual bleeding. Care should be taken when using diaphragms and intrauterine devices that might complicate an abdominal blow.
Side Effects of Hormone Therapy
Though adjusting menstrual cycles with medication is common among athletes, it is not always advisable. Hormone therapy may have harmful side effects such as potential for emboli formation following small foot fractures and visual changes. Headaches and fluid retention are other common complaints detected from cycle alteration.
Physical exercises are often thought to be best treatment for dysmenorrhea. There is no reason for desisting from training or exercises during the menstrual phase. In some cases the athletes may experience irregular periods during intense training. However this has something to do with the lowering of fat following insufficient food intake proportionate to the training.