Introduction:
Previous research has shown that the menstrual cycle (MC) can impact various aspects of athletes’ physical and psychophysiologically performance. Menstruation is often considered a taboo subject. Effective communication between coaches and athletes regarding the MC is important for modifying training and recovery programs and providing necessary support.

Aim:
This study aims to characterize female football players’ general well-being and symptoms during different phases of the MC. Additionally, the study aims to examine the occurrence of MC-related problems, their perceived impact on performance and participation in training and matches, and the players’ perception of their trainers’ awareness of the MC.

Material and Methods:
Female football players from Polish clubs were invited to participate in this study. Each player completed an anonymous online questionnaire.

Results:
172 out of 195 players reported experiencing problems related to menstruation. 27% of respondents felt good before menstruation, 41% felt bad during menstruation, and 43% felt good after menstruation. It was noted that a higher level of malaise and occurrence of MC-related problems were associated with less frequent participation in training. Only 8% of respondents reported that their coaches were aware of what phase of the MC they were in. Additionally, 32% of players stated that their coaches had knowledge about the phases of the MC.

Conclusions:
There is a need to monitor athletes’ menstrual cycles in order to adapt training programs to their individual needs. Furthermore, education about the MC should be provided to both coaching staff and players to increase awareness and understanding.