Implications for Coaches

Given the complexity and variability in how the menstrual cycle might influence performance, training, and recovery, female athletes and practitioners should prioritise individualised approaches over generalised, phase-based guidelines. A key first step is determining an athlete’s ovarian hormone profile. Elliott-Sale et al. (2024) have developed a tool (OHP classification tool) that combines a screening process (step one) with objective hormonal verification (step two) to classify hormone profiles. The tool also offers guidance on the best tracking methods for each profile. Once ovarian hormone profile is confirmed, regular and real-time menstrual cycle tracking can be implemented, where relevant. 

This should ideally capture cycle length, period duration, blood flow, symptom type, frequency, and severity, as well as subjective and objective changes in performance, training, and recovery, ideally over a minimum of three months. Such data can help identify meaningful patterns, allowing practitioners to pinpoint potential windows of opportunity for performance enhancement and symptom management strategies, while minimising any negative impacts. It should, however, be acknowledged that not all athletic females will have access to the financial, technical and technological support that this process requires. 

Recent efforts to understand the barriers and facilitators to ‘low-cost’ menstrual cycle symptom tracking have highlighted that caution should be taken with how the data is collected and utilised in the decision-making processes within sporting organisations (Crawford et al. 2025). While menstrual cycle tracking has the potential to positively impact long term outcomes for female athletes, coaches and practitioners must be cognisant of the potential harms that these data might have if used inappropriately (Howe, 2024). Equally important is fostering a supportive environment where female physiology, including the menstrual cycle, is openly acknowledged and considered in practice. This requires ongoing education and open communication between athletes, coaches, and practitioners.

Coaching Tips:

• Encourage menstrual cycle tracking where possible, but ensure data use is ethical, private, and athlete led.
• Foster an environment where menstrual health (and other female specific topics, such as hormonal contraception, breast health etc.) is discussed openly and without stigma.
• Focus on individual patterns, not generalised phase models, when making performance, training or recovery decisions.
• Stay informed about emerging female-specific research and update female rugby coaching practices accordingly.