Courses
New study to investigate how the menstrual cycle influences women’s health and activity levels
Erin Pyper, a PhD researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and a native of Ramelton in Co Donegal, has secured €136,000 in competitive national funding to investigate how the menstrual cycle influences women’s physical activity and quality of life, addressing a significant gap in current health research.
Erin’s research project, Promoting Women’s Health and Quality of Life: Menstrual Cycle and Contributors to Physical Inactivity, will explore how menstrual cycle symptoms influence physical activity across the reproductive lifespan, from menarche to perimenopause.
Women make up 50.6% of the Irish population and 49.7% of the global population, with an estimated two billion people menstruating each year*. Despite this, women remain significantly under-represented in research, and there is limited understanding of how the menstrual cycle affects physical activity participation and overall quality of life.
Highlighting the research gap, Erin noted:
As little as 5% of global research funding goes towards women’s health (Ellingrud et al. 2024), and historically women were excluded from clinical trials until the 1990s (Liu and Mager 2016). While research in this area is growing, it still often focuses on performance outcomes rather than how women feel about exercise across their cycle.
A key element of the study will involve engaging directly with women to better understand their experiences.
“Unfortunately, women have been and still are, dismissed, unheard or misdiagnosed in healthcare. Menstrual pain is frequently normalised in society, which can discourage people from seeking or feeling like they deserve support. By speaking directly with women, I hope to create a space where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and feel heard. The insights they can provide are essential to driving meaningful change in women’s health research and practice”, she said.
The menstrual cycle may pose as a challenge to sustained physical activity due to symptoms such as heavy bleeding, migraines and mood disturbances, which can contribute to reduced participation. Physical inactivity is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality, highlighting the importance of staying active throughout the lifecycle.
The study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, including a scoping review of existing research, in-depth interviews and focus groups, and creation of educational material.
Erin’s interest in this area comes from her engagement with sport and physical activity. From representing Northern Ireland in table tennis, to mountain running, and climbing Kilimanjaro, physical activity has had a huge impact on her life, and she wants women and girls to be more confident in staying active.
“I recognise that physical activity looks different for everyone. It’s not always about performance, but about feeling good and doing something you enjoy. I want to help women and girls feel more educated and supported in staying active, particularly when navigating challenges associated with the menstrual cycle”, she said.
Through this work, the research will highlight the impact of menstrual cycle symptoms, identify specific menstrual barriers to physical activity at certain stages of the reproductive cycle, and explore how different groups may be affected. The findings will inform the development of an educational programme to support women’s health and improve quality of life.
Erin’s supervisor, Dr Ken van Someren, Lecturer in Sports Performance and Innovation at ATU, said:
“Erin’s research will deliver evidence-based benefits for the health and wellbeing of women through physical activity. Being awarded this national funding reflects Erin’s talent as a researcher and ATU’s vibrant research culture.”
The funding forms part of a €36.3 million investment announced by James Lawless TD under the Research Ireland Government of Ireland postgraduate and postdoctoral programmes, supporting 341 research projects nationwide.
Photo caption: Erin Pyper, a PhD researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
This story is part of Bright Minds, Big Impact, a series highlighting ATU’s research excellence and the people driving meaningful change
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Ivana Hanjs
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E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
