Menstrual Pain: the missing part of phase based training? Episode 124 with Michelle Lyons
About this episode
Michelle Lyons discusses the impact of menstrual pain on female athletic performance and proposes a menstrual audit for better assessment.
Hello and welcome to today's solo episode! I recently came across two 2026 articles that really got me thinking about how menstrual pain may be the missing link in phase based training...and so I thought a podcast episode would be a good idea! In this episode, I discuss the overlooked impact of menstrual pain on female athletic performance, arguing that pain may be a more significant performance variable than hormonal cycle phases that currently receive much attention in sports science. My goal was to highlight that primary dysmenorrhea affects approximately 60% of female athletes, with 50-100% reporting performance limitations due to period pain, yet this issue is often addressed through medication rather than comprehensive treatment approaches. I wanted to emphasise that pelvic rehabilitation should be incorporated into discussions about menstrual cycle management, as pain affects brain processing, movement, breathing, and decision-making in ways that can substantially impact sporting performance. I propose a "menstrual audit" consisting of seven simple questions to better assess and address menstrual pain symptoms rather than focusing solely on cycle phases, and of…
More episodes of Celebrate Muliebrity with Michelle Lyons
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- Scar Therapy -Prehab to Rehab: Episode 125 with Hannah Poulton
- Training For Your Old Lady Body: Episode 123 with Elizabeth Davies
- Pelvic Health Comms with Athletes: Episode 122 with Dr Rachel Selman
- Pain AFTER endo surgery? Episode 121 with Michelle Lyons
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