Breaking the silence: the unexplored impact of perimenopause and menopause symptoms of female equestrians.

Understanding the impact of menopause (M) and perimenopause (P) symptoms with female equestrians is crucial as it not only affects participation but their overall well-being. Yet, there is limited research in this area, thus this study explored the P and M symptoms on rider participation. n = 1,629 female participants from a range of equestrian disciplines aged between 21 and 73 years of age (x ± s; age = 51.86 ± 14.95 years) who were within or beyond P or M were recruited and completed an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and thematic coding were used for further analysis and interpretation. Key themes included: (1) Physical health changes, including joint pain (74%) and weight gain (66%). (2) Mental Health and emotional well-being, with sleeplessness (74%), anxiety (78%), and a loss of confidence (76%). (3) Riding confidence, with a decrease in riding confidence (75%). (4) Support and awareness suggested there was a lack of support within the female equestrian community. Finally, (5) Hormone Replacement Therapy alleviated symptoms that interfere with riding and daily life. The P and M experience for female equestrians is complex and can negatively impact participation, proactive awareness for riders and coaches can better support this life stage.