The menstrual cycle and football: The experiences of African women football players.
Nonhlanhla Sharon MkumbuziSenanile B DlaminiFidelis ChibhabhaFredrick M GovereLucinda Manda-TaylorPublished in: Science & medicine in football (2022)
The low use of contraceptives is likely due to community level socio-cultural factors. While the use of old rags as impromptu sanitary products is likely because they cannot always afford their preferred choice. Menstrual symptoms can affect training and competition; therefore, team support personnel should be aware of the menstrual cycle's implications for African women football players and their effect on athletic performance and well-being. Additionally, team support personnel ought to be mindful of African women football players' socio-economic and religio-cultural contexts and their interaction with biological processes such as the menstrual cycle and contraceptive use.