THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND HORMONE-BASED CONTRACEPTION

Optimising the potential to perform, as well as the ability to adapt to and recover from training, is of paramount importance for footballers. One unique consideration for footballers is the potential influence of endogenous and exogenous sex hormones (i.e. the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use) on these factors. Indeed, fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone across the menstrual cycle have been reported to affect physiological processes within the cardiopulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal and nervous systems, the integration of which determines many outcomes in a variety of tasks during football training and competition. Furthermore, the external manipulation of sex hormones through hormonal contraceptive use is common within footballers. The attenuation of endogenous hormones and introduction of exogenous hormones through hormonal contraceptive use have been reported to alter physiological parameters, which might also alter the ability to perform, adapt and recover. However, the potential effect of sex hormones is often overlooked in the pursuit of optimising performance, training and recovery in footballers. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to discuss how the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use might impact exercise performance, training adaptation and recovery using cutting-edge, evidence-based, scientific information.