Gynaecological health patterns and motherhood experiences of female professional football players

Abstract Aims: To explore health patterns in female professional football players in the domains of gynaecological health patterns, contraceptive use, body perception and motherhood experiences, including return to play after childbirth. Methods: An online questionnaire was emailed to active female professional football players via email. Participants were asked about their menstrual cycle,contraception use and motherhood. Validated questionnaires were used to assess body dissatisfaction (BD) and drive for thinness (DT). Results: A total of 74 female professional football players were enrolled. The mean age at menarche was 13.5 years, average cycle length of 26 days and a bleeding period of 5 days. Cycle irregularities were experienced by 30% of participants, and menstrual symptoms by 74%. Half of the participants used contraceptives, with 60% using hormonal contraceptives, primarily oral contraceptive pills (38%), followed by implants (20%). Participants had a normal BD score, but a higher-than-expected DT score. The motherhood rate was low (1%), with normal conception, vaginal delivery, return to training after 6 weeks, and return to competition after 12 weeks. Conclusion: Cycle irregularities are common in female professional football players, with a significant number of cycle-related symptoms. The majority on contraceptives preferred hormonal contraceptives, especially oral contraceptive pills (OCP) followed by implants, reflecting trends seen in elite athletes gynaecological health. While body satisfaction scores were normal, there was an unexpectedly high drive-for-thinness score, similar to that observed in lean or weight-category sports. The rate of motherhood was low, consistent with previous findings in professional football players.