Menstruation and pregnancy are still taboo in women’s football, research shows

New research at women’s football clubs in six European countries shows that information about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and pregnancy is seriously lacking.

The research, led by academics from Staffordshire University, involved more than 1,100 players, coaches and managers from grassroots to top-level clubs in Bulgaria, England, Finland, France, Poland and Spain. It examined policy, perceptions and understanding through an online survey and a series of focus groups.

Dr. Jacky Forsyth, Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, explains: “The topic of ovarian hormones and their effects on training and performance, beyond pregnancy and postpartum, appears to have received little attention within any formal coaching training.

“In sports, these topics also come with varying degrees of stigmatization and silence, as well as being a barrier to gender equality. To tackle this, we wanted to gather best practice across Europe to learn which clubs are doing well, what is effective and what can be improved.

“Despite some good practice in individual clubs in different countries, there was limited knowledge and understanding of how training, performance and health are affected. Knowledge was generally left to the individual without support from governing bodies or coach training providers.”

69% of all participants said there was ‘no at all’ menstrual cycle education offered in their clubs, and while some clubs tracked players’ menstrual cycles, this was varied and inconsistent.

Approaching coaches about the menstrual cycle was identified as difficult for some players, with the barrier being that ‘the female game is still predominantly coached by men’ and that ‘men won’t understand’. Because of this, some players supported each other, keeping it between us girls rather than approaching their coaches.

Similarly, 77% of respondents reported no education about hormonal contraception and 64% no education about pregnancy. Furthermore, only 5% were aware of the club’s policy on pregnancy, maternity leave, maternity and care responsibilities/childcare.

Recommendations emerging from the study include hiring more female coaches and formalizing coach training to include research on the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and pregnancy, to encourage open dialogue between coaches and athletes. The research will also directly impact teaching on Staffordshire University’s Sport and Exercise courses.

Co-author Dr. Alex Blackett said: “These findings shed light on the fact that football training and education continues to be focused on the men’s games. The development of women’s football seems to be superficial at the moment and underneath there is still a lot more to be done.

“The willingness to have open discussions is so important because, as our article suggests, there is still a stigma attached to some of these issues. Although it is good that there is solidarity and that players support each other, we sometimes notice that pseudoscience principles are perpetuated and that is why it is important that the right information and support comes from the top.”

The study was part of the European Women in Sport (E-WinS) project which is funded by the Erasmus+ Sport program and brings together experts from nine universities and sports organisations.

The Staffordshire University team will now work directly with football clubs in Great Britain to put some of their findings into practice. E-WinS project partners are producing toolkits that will be available online for free.

In 2022, Chelsea FC Women became the first football club in the world to tailor training to players’ menstrual cycles and England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman introduced menstrual tracking apps ahead of the team’s win at the 2022 European Women’s Football Championship.

More recently, the women’s teams of Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion announced a switch to colored shorts with their home kit, as players raised concerns about wearing white during their periods.

Dr. Forsyth added: “Initially it’s about creating awareness that the menstrual cycle is not just about PMT and getting moody and bloated. Variations in ovarian hormone levels occur throughout the lifespan, so understanding their effects is important for the advancement of women’s football.

“Something as simple as tracking players’ menstrual cycles can make a big difference. For example, performance can be optimized in certain phases of the menstrual cycle and training can be adapted to prevent injuries and muscle soreness.

“Coaches need to have knowledge of issues specific to women and I hope this will be included in the FA coaching awards as it is clearly needed.”

“Menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and pregnancy in women’s football: perceptions of players, coaches and managers” is published in the Sports in society log.