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Dysmenorrhea and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Elite Female Athletes: Quality of Life and Perceived Stress

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Abstract

In female athletes, the incidence of menstrual disorders is variable, and their impact on perceived stress and quality of life (QoL) is poorly known.The aim of the present study was to investigate the menstrual cycle characteristics and disorders in athletes performing different sports, also evaluating perceived stress and QoL according to their menstrual cycle features. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in nulliparous elite athletes of reproductive age, and the study population included 112 cases. Three questionnaires were administered on (1) gynecological health, (2) perceived stress scale (PSS), and (3) short form QoL (SF-12). A group of women not practising regular sport activities (n = 103) was used as control. Data obtained in elite athletes were also analyzed according to the static and dynamic component percentage of practised sports in 3 sub-groups. Athletes had a significantly higher incidence of irregular periods and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) (p < 0.01) and a lower incidence of dysmenorrhea (p < 0.01) than controls. Furthermore, athletes had a better physical QoL (53.9 ± 5.9 vs 51.2 ± 6.0) (p < 0.05) but higher PPS level (17.3 ± 4.8 vs 13.8 ± 4.8) and a worse mental QoL (44.9 ± 9.9 vs 47.6 ± 9.0) (p < 0.05) than controls. HMB was associated with lower mental scores (39.7 ± .8.9 vs 45.6 ± 9.9) and higher PSS scores (19.8 ± .3.2 vs 17.0 ± .4.9) than those observed in athletes with normal bleeding. No difference was found in different sports regarding gynecological health, PSS level, and QoL. An increased incidence of HMB should be considered in elite athletes with increased PSS and impaired QoL.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the elite athletes participating of the present study and in particular Dr. Cristina Scaletti for Fiorentina Women Soccer Team and Monica Fabbri for Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio femminile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Silvia Vannuccini

  2. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Silvia Vannuccini

  3. Sports Medicine Center, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Flavia Fondelli & Giorgio Galanti

  4. Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Sara Clemenza & Felice Petraglia

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  1. Silvia Vannuccini
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Correspondence to Felice Petraglia.

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The study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board and each case signed a consent form.

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Vannuccini, S., Fondelli, F., Clemenza, S. et al. Dysmenorrhea and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Elite Female Athletes: Quality of Life and Perceived Stress. Reprod. Sci. 27, 888–894 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-019-00092-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-019-00092-7

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