Menstrual Symptom Differences Between Adolescent Volleyball Athletes and Nonathletes

Research on menstrual health in adolescent athletes particularly for specific sports is limited. This study aimed to identify menstrual characteristics and symptoms in adolescent volleyball athletes compared with nonathletes.

The study included 154 adolescents (aged 10-19 y) who had experienced menarche for at least 1 year. Participants were split into 2 groups: 77 volleyball athletes (average age: 15.09 [1.33] y) and 77 nonathletes (average age: 14.79 [1.27] y). Data were collected using an online survey. Age at menarche, regularity, use of menstruation delay pills, cycle characteristics (length and duration), and characteristics of dysmenorrhea (onset, frequency, medication use, and school/training absenteeism) were assessed. The menstrual symptoms were evaluated using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire, which includes 3 subscales: menstrual pain, coping methods, and somatic complaints.

Volleyball athletes demonstrated significantly higher use of medication for dysmenorrhea (P = .006) but lower Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire menstrual pain score (P = .029) compared with nonathletes. No differences were found in age at menarche (P = .878), cycle length (P = .149), use of menstruation delay pill (P = .221), amount of bleeding (P = .869), or absenteeism rates due to dysmenorrhea (P = .210).

Adolescent volleyball players reported lower menstrual pain compared with nonathletes in this study. Discussing menstruation-related pain with adolescents is important to support better symptom management.