Hormonal Cyclicity and Physical Performance - Review of the Literature

Abstract

Introduction: The menstrual cycle involves a complex interaction of hormonal fluctuations that can influence various aspects of female athletic performance. Understanding these relationships has become increasingly important for optimizing training programs and supporting female athletes across different competitive levels.

Objective: This review synthesizes current evidence on how menstrual cycle phases and hormonal contraception affect physical performance in female athletes.

Material and methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across major databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus, focusing on studies published between 2020 and 2025 that examined menstrual cycle effects on athletic performance.

Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that menstrual cycle phase effects on performance are generally small and highly individualized. While some athletes do experience performance decrements during specific phases particularly the early follicular and late luteal phases, group-level effects are often minimal or inconsistent. Interestingly, perceptual symptoms and psychological well-being appear to influence performance more consistently than hormonal fluctuations alone. Hormonal contraception shows variable effects depending on type and formulation. Rather than applying universal cycle-based training modifications, we recommend individual monitoring and personalized approaches.