Lynch, N. J., & Nimmo, M. A. (1998). Effects of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive use on intermittent high-intensity exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 1463.

Women (N = 5) using low-dose, monophasic oral contraceptives and normally menstruating women (N = 10) performed a treadmill protocol on two occasions. The normal group were tested in the mid-follicular and late luteal phases.

It was found that exercise performance did not vary between the two normal phases in the menstruating group nor was it affected by the number of days on the oral contraceptive. Metabolism was different between the groups and within the oral contraceptive group.

Implication. Aerobic work is not affected by oral contraceptives or phases in a normal menstrual cycle.

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