Athletes’ injury risk altered by menstrual cycle, research indicates – CBC

Hormonal changes can also lead to potentially career-altering injuries, cites recent study

May 14, 2025

Canadian coxswain Kristen Kit has had a long, successful career competing for Canada in the women’s eight boat, winning two Olympic medals in the process.

But in all her years on the national team, Kit has never taken a day off for her menstrual cramps.

“Never, in my 16 years,” she said in an interview with CBC Sports. “I don’t think I’ve ever known when anyone on my team, myself included, took a practice off or took a day off for cramps.”

For some, menstrual cramps can feel like intense throbbing in the lower abdomen and pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs, but recent research from the University of Vigo in Pontevedra, Spain has found that a female athlete’s hormonal changes could also lead to potential injuries.

“I am mind blown by this,” Kit said. “For Olympic athletes, why do we not have someone coming to talk with us about this stuff? I don’t want to get injured.”

Read moore: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/women-athletes-sports-injuries-1.7529929