Self-reported reproductive health of retired elite women’s footballers: a cross-sectional study

Carmody, Sean ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8683-5532, den Hollander, Steve ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6064-038X, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1122-5099, Mountjoy, Margo Lynn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8604-2014, Thornton, Jane S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3519-7101, Massey, Andrew, Kerkhoffs, Gino and Gouttebarge, Vincent ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0126-4177 (2024) Self-reported reproductive health of retired elite women’s footballers: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10 (3). e002028. ISSN 2055-7647

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Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to describe the self-reported reproductive health of retired elite women’s footballers with specific reference to menstrual function, pregnancy and motherhood, contraceptive use and pelvic floor function. Methods: An electronic survey was disseminated to women’s footballers (18 years or older) who had retired from elite football within 10 years of completing the survey. Results: 69 respondents completed the survey (mean age 35.8 years, mean age at retirement 30.3 years). One-third of participants self-reported experiencing at least one episode of amenorrhoea (>3 months without menstruation) for reasons other than hormonal contraceptive use or pregnancy. Three participants (mean age of 41 years, range 30–54) reported having reached menopause at the time of the study. 54 (78.3%) participants were not using any form of contraception. 17 (24.6%) of the participants are mothers (range 1–3 children). 51 of the participants (73.9%) had never been pregnant, and the majority of those who had been pregnant (86.7%) became pregnant in less than 2 years following the onset of desire for pregnancy. Four of the retired players gave birth during their playing career, and the mean time to return to competitive matches following delivery was 22 weeks. The mean Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 score for participants was 72. Conclusion: These insights can be used to inform future efforts to promote positive reproductive health outcomes for current, former and future women’s footballers. Research efforts should focus on improving the understanding of how to effectively support women’s footballers in the perinatal period. Best practice guidelines on the use of menstrual cycle monitoring and pelvic health support would improve standards of care for women’s footballers. Stakeholders should consider gender-specific postretirement care for women’s footballers.