An exploration of menstrual & reproductive health, diet quality and food-related behaviours in female athletes with Endometriosis and/or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Female participation in sport has increased across all levels, highlighted with sex parity at the 2024 Olympic games. However, the Sex Data Gap in sport and exercise research remains, particularly in relation to specific female health concerns. This is concerning as female athletes consistently report dietary intake deficiencies and poorer diet quality. Additionally, female athletes have health needs related to their menstrual cycle and are disproportionately affected by conditions such as relative energy deficiency in sports (REDS). Additionally our recent research (Caro et al., 2025) highlighted menstrual-related concerns among female athletes, including due to menstrual cycle irregularities and menstrual-related conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis.