Women prone to sports injury before ovulation

How your monthly cycle can damage your knees

Women are more vulnerable to sports injuries at certain stages of their monthly cycle, according to a new Canadian study.

Your knees are likely to be weaker before ovulation, raising the risk of injuries.

Scientists at the University of Calgary were looking at why women are up to eight times more likely to damage their knee ligaments than men.

Suspecting hormones could be to blame, they monitored a group of 26 women throughout their monthly menstrual cycle. At each key stage - before, during and after ovulation - the women were asked to perform sports movements such as lunges and jumps. And their knee joints were then assessed.

Loose joints can increase the risk of injury - most of the women had weaker knee joints before or during ovulation (and not after) when their oestrogen levels rise and peak. There are oestrogen receptors in the knee and the hormone is known to weaken ligaments.

Researchers believe their findings will help women avoid injury by knowing when to take particular care.

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