Do Menstrual Cycles Affect Training? The Science Explained with Dr. Nicky Keay

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Nicky Keay about the role hormones play in endurance training, performance, and long-term athlete health. The discussion focuses on how menstrual cycles function as an important physiological signal and why they should be considered a key health marker for female athletes.Dr. Keay explains how hormones influence training adaptation, recovery, and bone health, and why disruptions to the menstrual cycle can indicate deeper problems with energy availability. The conversation also explores Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and how chronic under-fueling can affect hormones, performance, and long-term health outcomes.The episode examines common misconceptions around menstrual cycles and training, what the current scientific evidence actually shows, and how athletes and coaches can interpret hormonal signals more effectively. Particular attention is given to practical implications for endurance athletes and how coaches, especially male coaches, can better support female athletes when navigating cycle-related considerations.This conversation aims to provide a clear, evidence-based perspective on female physiology in endurance sport and help athletes and coaches make more informed decisions about training, fuelling, and recovery.USEFUL LINKSDr. Keay's Energy Availability Questionnaire: https://mypeaq.streamlit.app/#what-is-energy-availabilityRELATED BORN ON THE TRAIL CONTENThttps://bornonthetrail.substack.com/p/should-training-follow-the-menstrual-cycle?r=39kjk2FOLLOW NICKYContact Dr. Keay at https://nickykeayfitness.com/contact-2/Book an appointment with Dr. Keay at https://nickykeayfitness.com/appointments/Interested in reading her books? Find more information at https://nickykeayfitness.com/new-book/Dr. Keay on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drnickykeay/WATCH THIS SHOW ON OTHER PLATFORMSSubstack: https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvFOih1rUBA2F_3Bi7Ii-cAqieAQSumU_Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6o5yHthUidO0No4VA3xdVb?si=nWhg4BjyQNa8F8lcsmXkJw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/born-on-the-trail-going-longer/id1857231629YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvFOih1rUBA2F_3Bi7Ii-cAqieAQSumU_BORN ON THE TRAIL ON SOCIAL MEDIASubstack: https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornonthetrail/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bornonthetrailFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bornonthetrail/ Get full access to Born on the Trail at bornonthetrail.substack.com/subscribe