Association of premenstrual syndrome, secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea regarding physical activity intensity and training volume - A cross-sectional study of leisure time physically active females in Switzerland

Background: Evidence suggests an association of menstrual cycle (MC)-related disorders and physical activity intensity and volume in athletes. Due to missing information on leisure time physically active females, this study was conducted to analyse a possible association of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea regarding physical activity (PA) intensities (light (LPA), moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA)), and training volume.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to main stakeholders of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in Switzerland. Chi-square tests (p-value <0.05) were used to investigate the association of PMS, secondary amenorrhoea and oligomenorrhoea regarding PA intensity (LPA, MPA, VPA) and volume (h/week).
Results: A total of 902 leisure time physically active females (age=28.8±8.6, BMI=22.4±3.1), of reproductive age, not using hormonal contraceptives, met the inclusion criteria. PMS prevalence was 17.0% (n=153) with no significant association to PA intensities LPA (p=0.416), MPA (p=0.991), VPA (p=0.097) and training volume (p=0.155). The prevalence of secondary amenorrhea was 2.9% (n=26) and no significant association regarding PA intensities LPA (p=0.224), MPA (p=0.156) and VPA (p=0.122) but significant association regarding training volume (p=0.005) was found. The prevalence of oligomenorrhea was 18.2% (n=164) and no significant association regarding PA intensities LPA (p=0.167), MPA (p=0.795) and VPA (p=0.514) but significant association regarding training volume (p=0.035).
Conclusion: The study shows only significant associations with small effect sizes in secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea regarding training volume. Due to the high prevalence of MC-related disorders, there is still a need for action and future studies in which further factors should be included.