Major ovarian hormone health knowledge gap in elite women’s football – study calls for urgent action
Significant gaps in knowledge of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives have been revealed in a major new study of elite women’s football clubs.
The study, published in Sport and Medicine in Football, surveyed 320 players and 46 staff members from top-tier women’s football clubs across Europe on knowledge related to ovarian hormones, which are increasingly recognised as a vital health monitoring tool for female footballers.
On average, players scored 39% and staff 47%, meaning that neither group was able to correctly answer even half of the survey’s questions.
As a result, researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, who led the study, recommend new, fit-for-purpose educational systems for female players and their support staff.
Women’s football is growing rapidly, but ovarian hormone health literacy remains a blind spot. Beyond being a key health indicator, ovarian hormones may offer insights into optimising performance, reducing injury risk, and improving recovery—though these links remain underexplored and unresolved.
Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport at Manchester Met, said “The hope is that this study will lead to better education, more informed coaching, and stronger support systems—making ovarian hormone health part of everyday performance planning, not an afterthought.
“With the right education and monitoring processes, ovarian hormone health can become a powerful tool for boosting players health and wellbeing and offering further insights into their performance landscape. Without proper education, the health of players can be at risk.”
The study urges governing bodies, clubs, and researchers to develop credible evidence-based education programmes. There is also a growing need to improve staff training on female physiology and to integrate ovarian hormone health into broader performance and wellbeing strategies.
Gary Lewin, Head of Performance Services at Arsenal Women Football Club, said “This comprehensive study has shown the need for evidence-based education for players and staff in women’s football. To enhance performance and more importantly female health this study could be the catalyst to move away from misconceptions and myths and onto credible education programmes and practices.”
The research surveyed players and staff from top-tier leagues across Europe, including England’s Women’s Super League, Spain’s Liga F, and Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga.
The findings are the latest from the Centre of Excellence of Women in Sport at Manchester Metropolitan University, which was established in 2024 as a global go-to reference, providing a single source of truth for girls and women no matter their age, sporting ability, or location.
The Centre is shaping the future of active girls and women by optimising health, performance, practice and policy.
