Effects of a Menstrual Health Education Intervention on Female Athletes' Knowledge and Communication

This study aims to determine the effect of an education intervention on female athletes' menstrual health knowledge, communication, and perceived importance of menstrual cycle tracking, and whether factors such as age, education level, or hormonal contraceptive use influence these outcomes. Three athlete cohorts engaged in two workshops and received targeted handouts. Participants (n = 51) completed surveys before, after, and 3 months following the intervention, which included a menstrual health knowledge assessment and a series of ratings to ascertain perceived knowledge; likelihood that they would discuss menstrual health with teammates, coaches, medical staff, and performance staff; and perceived importance of menstrual cycle tracking. Bayesian generalised linear mixed models and Bayesian linear mixed models were used to understand the effect of time and interactions between time and age, educational level, or hormonal contraceptive use. Actual and perceived knowledge and likelihood to communicate with teammates and performance staff appeared to be higher post-intervention and were retained for at least three months. The importance of menstrual cycle tracking increased from post-intervention to follow-up, while no change in communication with coaches or medical staff was observed. There appeared to be some effect of age, education level, and hormonal contraceptive use on knowledge and communication with medical staff. A menstrual health education intervention could be a practical and effective strategy to promote menstrual health literacy and communication in sport settings.