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UEFA consensus statement on menstrual cycle tracking in women's football
Evert Verhagen1,2, Eva Ferrer3,4, Juliana da Silva Antero5
1Medical & Anti-doping Unit, Football Division, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Nyon, Switzerland.
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Menstrual cycle tracking in women's football offers crucial support for athlete well-being by identifying irregularities and managing symptoms. This consensus provides evidence-based guidance for consistent, athlete-centered tracking protocols in the sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Female Athlete Health
- Gynecology
Background:
- Menstrual cycle tracking is vital for female athletes but under-researched and inconsistently applied in football.
- Lack of standardized protocols hinders effective implementation in women's football.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence-informed guidance on best practices for menstrual cycle tracking in women's football.
- To establish standardized, athlete-centered tracking protocols and identify research priorities.
Main Methods:
- Consensus statement developed using the RAND-UCLA appropriateness method.
- Multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed literature and reached agreement on 82 statements across five key domains.
Main Results:
- While evidence linking cycle phases to performance/injury is inconclusive, tracking aids well-being by identifying irregularities and managing symptoms.
- Recommendations cover tracking metrics, methods, implementation, and research considerations, emphasizing ethical and cultural factors.
Conclusions:
- Standardized, athlete-centered menstrual cycle tracking is essential for female football players.
- Further research is needed to refine understanding and application of menstrual cycle tracking in elite female football.
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