Menstrual cycle changes among female athletes post a traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

Yussuf Abuelhaija 1, *,   Motasem Alzaqh  2, Haneen A. Al-Bataineh 3, Ahmad Mustafa 4, Tareq Al-Bkoor 5, Haya Omeish 6, Yaman M. Jarrar 7, Maria Obeidat 8, Ali M. Khafaja 9, Bashar M. Mistarihi 10, Rama M. Matalqah 11,  Mohammad Alomari 12, Aya Issa 13, Waseem M. Halawani 14, Mohammad Al-Hajjieh 15, Farah Bawa'neh 16, Ro'a I. Ababneh 11, Zain Haddad 11,  Joanna Esau   17,  Shaima’ Al-Omari 18,   Ala E. Najjar 1, Thurayya H. Hayajneh  19, Sara Alzaglool 20, Aws Al-Arman 16, Lujain Y. Al-Arman  21, Aya Mustafa  22, Bouran M. Alkilany  23, Faris I. Tawalbeh  10, Rand Tarawneh 24, Ahmad Al-Thunaibat   7, Mu'taz Yousef Mahmoud  4 , Khaled Abubaker 7  and Mazhar Al Zoubi 25

1 Neurology, Gardens Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
2 Internal Medicine, Islamic Hospital - Aqaba, Aqaba, Jordan.
3 Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
4 Neurology, Al Bashir Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
5 Neurology, Jordandanian Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan.
6 Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA .
7 Internal Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
8 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jordandanian Ministry of Health, Irbid, Jordan.
9 Internal Medicine, Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.
10 Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
11 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
12 Neurology, Al-Nadeem Hospital, Madaba, Jordan.
13 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al-Nadeem Hospital, Madaba, Jordan.
14 Neurosurgery, Ibn Al-Haytham Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
15 Emergency Medicine, King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.
16 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Basma Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.
17 Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan.
18 Diagnostic Radiology, Al-Essra Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
19 Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk Universtiy, Irbid, Jordan.
20 Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mu’tah University, Al-Karak, Jordan.
21 Pathology, Prince Rashid Ben Al-Hasan Military Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.
22 Internal Medicine, Istishari Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
23 Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein, New York, USA.
24 Internal Medicine, Abdali Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
25 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk Universtiy, Irbid, Jordan.
 
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(03), 1416–1430
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.18.3.1256
 
Publication history: 
Received on 18 May 2023; revised on 26 June 2023; accepted on 28 June 2023
 
Abstract: 
Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) commonly affects athletes and can lead to menstrual cycle changes in female athletes. This review highlights the existing literature on menstrual cycle changes post-TBI. TBI disrupts the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle, causing irregular or absent periods, hormonal imbalances, and related symptoms. These changes impact the physical and psychological well-being of athletes during recovery. However, research in this area is limited, necessitating further investigation into the mechanisms and implications of menstrual cycle changes in female athletes post-TBI. Healthcare providers and sports medicine professionals must be aware of these effects and provide appropriate care and support. Prioritizing overall health and well-being, including menstrual health, is crucial for female athletes post-TBI. This involves nutrition, stress management, and adjustments to training and competition schedules as necessary. Raising awareness and educating athletes, coaches, and stakeholders is vital for proper care and support. Additional research on menstrual cycle changes in female athletes post-TBI will inform clinical practice and enhance the health and performance outcomes of female athletes.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. The search strategy employed relevant keywords and MeSH terms to identify observational and experimental studies published from the inception of each database until the present day. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies involving female athletes diagnosed with a concussion, assessing the physiological or pathological changes during the menstrual cycle, and reporting data on hormone fluctuations, symptomatology, cognitive function, mood, neuroimaging, or biomarkers. Independent reviewers screened articles, extracted data, and resolved disagreements through consensus.
Results: The initial search yielded 500 articles, and after applying inclusion criteria, 108 studies were included. Menstrual cycle disruptions were assessed through self-reporting and hormonal analysis. Findings indicated potential links between sports-related concussions and irregularities in cycle length, alterations in hormone levels, and changes in menstrual symptoms. However, heterogeneity among the studies and lack of standardized methodologies limited definitive conclusions.
Conclusion: This systematic review underscores the need for further research to elucidate the relationship between sports-related concussions and menstrual cycle disturbances in female soccer players. Future studies should employ standardized methodologies, including objective measures and larger sample sizes. Understanding the impact of concussions on the menstrual cycle is vital for holistic care and optimal performance of female athletes in contact sports. Identifying underlying mechanisms will facilitate the development of targeted interventions and preventive strategies to ensure long-term reproductive health and overall well-being after head injuries in female soccer players.
 
Keywords: 
Traumatic Brain Injury; Athletes; Menstrual Cycle Changes; Female Athletes; Sports Medicine; Concussion.
 
Full text article in PDF: 
 
Copyright information: 
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0

 

Share this