Groundbreaking Research Finds Impact of Menstruation on Female Rugby Players

Timely research from researchers at St Mary’s University, London, published ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final has shone a light on an often-overlooked aspect of elite women’s sport: the menstrual cycle, and calls for better understanding and support for players.

The study published in the International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching by PhD student Hannah Owen, explores how international female rugby players perceive their menstrual cycle effects their performance both on and off the field.

Through in-depth interviews with 12 international players from eight nations, Hannah identifies three key themes: cycle-sensitive behaviour modifications, the mental burden, and audience apprehension.

Cycle-sensitive behaviour modifications

Players adapt training to manage pain and fatigue, often avoiding contact drills during certain phases. Participants explained:

• “I definitely get really bad cramps, to the point where like I would be like bedridden on day one, like not being able to function”
• “I hate scrummaging when I’m on like day one and day two because I was in the front row, and the pressure in my tummy hurts. I think it's just like the contact side of things, to be honest, because if I get hit in the stomach, it is a little bit tender.”
• ““My boobs get really tender, tackling, being tackled it's so sore and sometimes I can’t bear it, feel like they need pads”

The mental burden

Beyond physical symptoms, players described the psychological toll including low moods, concerns about leakage, bloating, odour, and product visibility can distract focus. Combined with mental pressure to perform at their best to ensure selection, athletes are left feeling mentally exhausted before their training has even begun:

• “We put a lot of pressure on each other to be consistent. I think, you put a lot of pressure on yourself. I feel like I let people down if I don't perform, even if I was like oh I’m really not in a good place (menstrual symptoms). I'm not going to be able to put anything in the session; they (players) will think I’m not trying."
• “You could be dealing with the worst cramps, and it's not seen as like a viable reason to be kind of struggling and being able to train”

Audience apprehension

The visibility of women’s rugby brings extra pressure, with players expressing discomfort around kit design and its lack of consideration for women and menstruation:

• “I just am worried the whole time about how stupid I look and people will know because I have to wear the horrible, really uncomfortable black undershorts”
• “We mimic the men's program in terms of the kit. I do think the club should have the same kit because we are one club, and for the public to see us doing the same is really good. But they (directors of rugby) could probably take into consideration periods a bit more, maybe not white shorts, maybe shorts that aren’t men's fit.”

One international player reported, "If I really haven't slept and I am in pain (abdominal), I think it's hard as our coaches are quite demanding and require a lot from us and the medical team. But they rely a lot on the medical team's opinion, and if the medical say they should not be training, I know sometimes I shouldn’t be, then the coaches are more likely to bare that in mind with selection."

Hannah’s findings underscore the importance of recognising menstrual health as a performance factor, rather than a private issue to be endured. They also point to practical steps that could help minimise barriers to peak performance, such as cycle-aware training plans, supportive coaching environments, and kit designed with female athletes in mind.

With the women’s game continuing to grow in visibility and professionalism, Hannah’s research provides timely insight. She notes: “For too long, the menstrual cycle has been an invisible factor in elite sport. These players are adapting and coping individually, but with greater awareness, structural support, and open conversations, we can ensure athletes are not held back by something so fundamental to their health and wellbeing.”

Hannah explains that the next phase of her research will examine how the menstrual cycle challenges medical and performance staff in elite women’s rugby, focusing on knowledge gaps, communication barriers, and institutional constraints. To build athlete-centred support, the research will address structural and governance factors that contribute to stigma and limit effective performance strategies. The aim is to embed menstrual health into routine performance planning and foster environments where staff are equipped, confident, and proactive in supporting athletes across all cycle phases.

As rugby prepares for one of its biggest weekends of the year, this study is a reminder that advancing women’s sport means addressing every aspect of performance - on the pitch and beyond.