ArticleBMC public health2025
A scoping review of identifying research on menstruation and menstrual cycle among female athletes of low and low-and-middle-income countries.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundMenstruation involve intricate physiological, social, cultural, religious, and psychological factors that deeply impact women and girls globally. Disparities in access to menstrual products, facilities, information, and social support are evident between high-income countries (HICs) and low-income countries (LICs). Female athletes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) encounter distinct challenges due to limited research on the significant effects of menstruation on their daily lives as well as athletic performance. This scoping review investigates existing research on menstruation's influence on female athletes in LMICs, proposes research gaps, and propose future study directions.
methodWe conducted a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-Ext) guidelines. We systematically searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to identify peer-reviewed publications, grey literature, and relevant sources. Our inclusion criteria required articles to contain at least one performance-related parameter related to menstruation or explore at least one menstrual phase among LMICs and LICs athletes.
resultOur initial search yielded 1490, of which 88 potential articles were considered after title and abstract screening. After duplicate screening, 26 studies met our inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies employed a cross-sectional research design from adolescence to the 30s. Ten studies specifically focused on investigating the menstrual cycle (MC) and its impact on athletes, while five articles focused on physiology and six examined both physiology and the MC. Eight studies explored performance, while two reported on the intersection of performance.
conclusionThe research on female athletes from LMICs requires a more consistent focus on menstruation's impact on athletes' well-being and performance. This scoping review underscores the urgent need for more in-depth, longitudinal, and quantifiable research that explicitly emphasizes the unique needs of athletes from LMICs. By gaining deeper insights into their experiences, barriers, and impact on performance and health, we can enhance these athletes' overall well-being and broader social, cultural, and gender equality agendas.
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