Hormonal Contraceptives, Menstrual Health, and the Hidden Performance Gap in Female Equestrian Athletes

While equestrian sport is often praised for men and women competing on equal footing, new research reveals an overlooked challenge: menstrual health.

Key Findings:

Prevalence of HC use: 57% of riders surveyed use hormonal contraceptives, with 67% doing so to avoid bleeding.

Cycle disturbances: 30% of non-HC users reported menstrual disturbances, with some classified as amenorrhoeic.

Impact on performance: 57% of all athletes reported negative symptoms that stopped them from training.

Knowledge gap: Only 14% of athletes demonstrated “good” knowledge of their cycles or contraceptives.

Performance isn’t just about horse power — it’s about rider health. Symptoms that prevent riders from training represent a barrier to progress, safety, and long-term success.

Unlike team sports where medical and performance staff are on hand, equestrian athletes often train in isolation. Governing bodies are therefore uniquely placed to disseminate menstrual health education and resources.

This research makes it clear: menstrual health is a performance issue. If we want to support female riders, the industry must go beyond tradition and tackle this head-on with education, resources, and cultural change.

What steps should our governing bodies take to support female equestrian athletes in managing menstrual health?