Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria natural cycles group: * Female sex * Women between 18 and 40 years of age * Women who are members of a federation and who compete in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week. * Women with regular menstrual cycles (between 23 and 38 days long). * Women who have not taken hormonal contraceptives (HA) for 6 months or more. Inclusion criteria artificial cycles group: * Female sex * Women between 18-40 years of age * Women federated and competed in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week. * Long-term users of HA (minimum 6 months). Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria group natural cycles: * Refusal to participate in the study * Sedentary women * Women on HA currently or in the 6 months before the study * Women with irregular menstrual cycles, less than 23 or more than 38 days in length * Any existing metabolic disease or disorder * Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results * Pregnancy or breastfeeding Exclusion criteria artificial cycles group: * Refusal to participate in the study * Sedentary women * Any existing metabolic disease or disorder * Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results * Inability to manage contraception in a disciplined manner