Second UK Sports Gynaecology conference spotlights female athlete health and performance
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Over 50 attendees including chief medical officers from leading national sports governing bodies, gynaecological surgeons and sports science experts gathered on Friday 1 November to advance discussions on female athlete health at the second Sports Gynaecology Conference to be held in Britain.
Hosted by the LTA at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, and organised in conjunction with Chelsea Surgical Partners, this pioneering symposium highlights and tackles critical health concerns affecting female athletes' performance, safety, and overall well-being.
Themed "Optimizing Performance Through the Lens of Women’s Health," the conference covered topics including hormone health, menstrual cycles, puberty, nutrition, gender inclusion, and pregnancy policies for athletes. Attendees engaged in four focused sessions, addressing prevalent issues such as:
- Hormones, Menstrual Cycles, and Puberty – discussing the impact of hormonal changes and menstrual cycles on female athlete performance and offer insights into how puberty, ovarian hormones and menstrual status influence performance, chaired by renowned gynaecologist Maya Al-Memar.
- Integrated, Individualized Gynaecological Care – Focused on tailored healthcare for elite female athletes, discussions included conception and social egg freezing, nutrition strategies particularly in relation to disordered eating, and the establishment of one-stop gynaecological care facilities for athletes.
- Gender in Sport and Inclusion – In an era of evolving sports policies, this session explored the ethical and scientific complexities surrounding gender inclusion in female sport, as well as fairness, regulatory considerations, and the challenges associated with categorization.
- Support from UK Sports Bodies – representatives from major UK sports organisations shared their initiatives to enhance support for female athletes. Additionally, policies on managing female athlete pregnancies was presented by Dr. Guy Evans, Chief Medical Officer at the LTA.
The event concluded with a special athlete Q&A with Katy Marchant, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist who returned to elite cycling after the birth of her son in 2022. This interactive session allowed attendees to hear firsthand experiences and perspectives on how the health considerations discussed impact athletes at the pinnacle of their sports.
Dr Guy Evans, LTA Chief Medical Officer said, “This conference provides a dedicated forum to discuss the care of our elite female athletes across sports and disciplines. It allows sharing of knowledge, open discussion and healthy debate ensuring we provide optimal care for our female athletes.
"The conference builds on last years event and shines a light on some of the key topical issues such as low energy availability, sex and gender related issues in sport, and effective strategic planning related to the female athlete with the sporting setting.”
The Sport Gynaecology Conference this year has been a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge and experience, to continue to optimise the multidisciplinary care offered to female athletes across elite British sport.
Mr Srdjan Saso, Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Surgeon added, “It was a real pleasure to be part of the organising committee for this Conference for a second year running, in conjunction with the LTA. The aim this year was to focus on certain aspects of gynaecological health which are deemed crucial when it comes to achieving optimal training and performance standards in elite female athletes.
"I hope that today will help in furthering the awareness and prominence of the health needs of our fantastic sportswomen.”
With industry-leading experts and practitioners dedicated to advancing the landscape of female health in sports, this conference was an invaluable opportunity for key practitioners to gain fresh insights into the future of women’s health in elite sport."
