The Commission of the Natural History Museum of the Burgergemeinde Bern has awarded a grant of CHF 2,800 to support the research project by Dr. med. Christian Tinner.
The project “Pattern of Injuries During Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle – A Prospective Cohort Study” addresses a field that has so far received limited attention in trauma and sports medicine research. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to investigate whether specific injury patterns occur more frequently during certain phases of the menstrual cycle and to assess the influence of hormonal fluctuations and hormonal contraceptives on injury risk.
The findings are intended to contribute to a better understanding of biological differences between women and men in medical research and, in the long term, support the development of more targeted prevention strategies for female patients.
The project has previously received research funding of CHF 20,000 from swiss orthopaedics. The additional support from the Bern Burger Community further highlights the relevance and scientific importance of this research project.
We would like to sincerely congratulate Dr. Tinner on this achievement!
Project Summary (Originaltext)
Pattern of Injuries During Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle – A Prospective Cohort Study
Important biological differences between men and women have often been underrepresented in clinical and sports medicine research. As a result, research on the menstrual cycle and hormonal influences in relation to traumatic injuries has become increasingly important. Growing evidence suggests that biological sex and hormonal fluctuations may influence injury risk, tissue response, and recovery processes. Despite these potential effects, the impact of cyclical hormonal changes on injury patterns and recovery remains insufficiently understood, highlighting a significant gap in the current literature.
Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can affect the mechanical properties of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. For example, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have been reported to occur more frequently during the ovulatory phase, when estrogen levels peak, possibly due to increased ligament laxity. However, current findings remain inconsistent. In addition, menstrual irregularities such as oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea have been associated with higher injury rates. Hormonal contraceptives, which many female athletes use, may also influence injury risk and could potentially have a protective effect. Despite the growing body of research, many studies are limited by small sample sizes and a predominant focus on knee injuries, leaving broader injury patterns underexplored.
The primary aim of this study is to determine the distribution of injuries occurring during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Secondary objectives include analyzing injury types, locations, and causes across phases, and assessing the impact of hormonal contraception on injury risk.
To address these questions, a prospective cohort study will be conducted over 21 months. Menstruating female patients who are over the age of 18 and present to the emergency department with an acute injury will be eligible for inclusion. A structured interview will be conducted to assess the cause and circumstances of the injury. The menstrual cycle phase will then be determined through laboratory analysis of hormone levels (Serum estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH). Patients with severe injuries (polytrauma or severe head injuries), intoxication, or those requiring immediate emergency treatment will be excluded.
The timing of each accident will be categorized into one of four menstrual cycle phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, or luteal. Injury type, cause, severity, and anatomical location will then be analyzed across these phases.
This study aims to provide important insights into injury vulnerability throughout the menstrual cycle and to inform the development of improved injury-prevention strategies for female patients.
