The prevalence of menstrual cycle symptoms and their association with mental health and sleep in German exercising women and athletes
Lisa Kullik Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport VOLUME 27, ISSUE 6, P362-367, JUNE 2024
Objectives
Menstrual cycle symptoms are very common in female athletes. However, more evidence about the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and symptoms with sleep and mental health in athletes needs to be gathered. This study aimed to examine this association in German exercising women and athletes.
Design
322 women (mean age: 23.13 ± 4.36) participated in a cross-sectional study. The survey included the Menstrual Symptom index (MSi), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Athletes Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ). Additionally, demographic, sport-specific data and further menstrual cycle characteristics were examined. Multiple regression models were used for the statistical analyses.
Results
The MSi score demonstrated a highly significant (p < 0.001) positive association with Depression, Anxiety, Stress, PSQI, and ASBQ. The most prevalent menstrual cycle symptoms were cravings/increased appetite, mood changes/anxiety, and tiredness/fatigue. A difference between individual and team sport athletes could not be found. Moreover, there was no association between the constructs and menses length, irregularity, or heaviness of bleeding.
Conclusions
Menstrual cycle symptoms occur very frequently in female athletes. In this study, they were related to mental health, sleep quality, and sleep behavior, regardless of the cycle phase. This evidence demonstrates the relevance of considering the menstrual cycle and menstrual symptoms in future studies with female athletes and in sport practice.
Practical implications
• Menstrual cycle symptoms should be systematically monitored in exercising women and athletes, independent of the cycle phase and oral contraceptive use. To evaluate symptoms in cohorts, the MSi represents a simple and practical tool.
• Coaches and sport practitioners should be attentive to the mental health of female athletes and provide additional support to manage mental health challenges associated with the menstrual cycle.
• The implementation of sleep management strategies may help to mitigate menstrual cycle symptoms, and vice versa, effectively managing menstrual cycle symptoms may improve sleep quality.