--- title: What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? description: Most (78.51%) had regular cycles averaging 27.69 days. Most (86.84%) experienced period pain, and 77.63% had PMS symptoms. About 22.81% experienced absent per url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/characteristics-of-the-menstrual-cycle-and-hormonal-contraceptive-use-in-elite-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? Survey study, 2025 # What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? Most (78.51%) had regular cycles averaging 27.69 days. Most (86.84%) experienced period pain, and 77.63% had PMS symptoms. About 22.81% experienced absent periods. Early or limited evidence 228 elite female basketball players in Spain (first and second divisions) ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 228 elite female basketball players from Spanish league (first and second division) using a validated questionnaire about menstrual cycle characteristics. ## What they found Average age of first period was 13.21 years. 78.51% had regular cycles of 27.69 days on average (range 17-40 days). 86.84% experienced period pain (dysmenorrhea), and 41.67% took pain medication. 77.63% had PMS symptoms. 22.81% experienced absent periods (amenorrhea). Less than a quarter used hormonal contraceptives regularly. 3.51% had been pregnant. ## What it means for you Menstrual problems are common in female elite athletes. Results are from Spanish players only, so may not apply to other populations or non-athletes. This is a snapshot study, so we cannot know if athletics causes these cycle changes or if they happen coincidentally. 78.51% with regular cycles 86.84% with period pain 77.63% with PMS symptoms ## About the study Original title Characteristics of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use in elite Spanish basketball players Authors Crespo P, Herranz N, Estella V et al. Journal Frontiers in sports and active living Year 2025 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1642415](https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1642415) Original abstract Introduction: Previous research has shown how menstrual-related symptoms (e.g., abdominal cramps, tiredness/fatigue) can limit athletes' ability to train. Nonetheless, the specific characteristics of the menstrual cycle (MC) and their relationship with performance, well-being, and injuries in athletes are not well understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to better understand the characteristics of the MC (menarche, length, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, etc.) and the use of hormonal contraceptives among the elite Spanish basketball players. Methods: A total of 228 healthy elite female basketball players from both first division and second division of the Spanish league were included in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were assessed for MC characteristics using a validated questionnaire. Results: The menarche age in the study population was 13.21 ± 1.55 years. The majority of players (78.51%) experienced a regular MC of 27.69 ± 3.78 days, with a range from 17 to 40 days. One hundred ninety-eight out of the 228 players surveyed (86.84%) experienced dysmenorrhea during their periods, and 41.67% took pain medication. Moreover, 77.63% of the players showed symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Amenorrhea was also reported by 22.81% of them, and 3.51% of the players had been pregnant at some point in their lives. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the characteristics of the MC between first and second division players. Less than a quarter of the studied population referred using hormonal contraceptives regularly. Conclusion: MC alterations are prevalent among female basketball players. More research is necessary to understand how this can affect the quality of life, the performance, and the injury susceptibility of female athletes. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2026 Can changing your diet help with period and PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and bloating? Survey study, 2022 How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms? Study, 2010 What gynecologic problems do girls with Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy experience? Survey study, 1964 How common are mood and physical changes around menstruation? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗