Monitoring the Menstrual Cycle in Elite Women's Soccer

In this episode of the Femme FC Podcast, host Nicole Surdyka talks with Georgia Brown, Sports Scientist for San Diego Wave FC, about her PhD research on menstrual health and performance in elite women's soccer. Georgia shares what she discovered while tracking menstrual cycles and symptoms in professional footballers, why irregularities are more common than most realize, and how practitioners can start applying these insights within their own teams. They discuss: ⚽ The menstrual cycle as the "fifth vital sign" for athlete health 🩸 Why up to half of players may experience subtle menstrual disturbances 🧠 How stress and training load influence hormonal profiles 📈 Practical ways to track cycles and symptoms in a team setting 🤝 How staff can individualize support for each athlete This conversation bridges research and practice, offering practical takeaways for medical, sport science, and performance professionals working in the women's game.