Menstruation raises risk of injuries while pills protect: Study

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 28 2011

Scientists have found that a woman's risk of injuring her knees, feet and ankles is significantly heightened at the beginning and middle of her period. But the risk is low for women on contraceptive pills they say.

Podiatrist Simon Bartold from the University of Melbourne has said lower oestrogen levels at the beginning of women's menstrual cycles reduced their muscle tone and coordination. Thereafter on day 14 of the cycle, oestrogen levels are at their peak and this increases the elasticity of the Achilles tendon and the risk of injury.

This conclusion comes from two studies, involving 78 women which were conducted by the university over three years. However for women who take the contraceptive pill, injury rates are less likely because the pill reduces the level of circulating oestrogen. The studies have bee published in medical journals.

Mr Bartold has said this research could prove useful for female athletes and coaches. “If we understand these things we can finally put strategies in place to try to protect female athletes,” he said. He has said it also raises interesting questions about the role of the contraceptive pill in women's sport. “There's now quite a global body of research saying that the pill actually is protective of injuries…It protects you from injuries, it improves performance, improves muscle function,” he said.