Periods, Prejudice, and Performance: Exploring Health Monitoring Inequalities in Elite Women’s Football

Participation in Australian women’s football (soccer) has risen steadily since the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but any proportional improvements in addressing the health and well-being needs of female athletes remain unclear. This study investigates the current health and well-being practices of the Women’s A-League, and reports on the future changes that footballers are calling for. This study utilizes qualitative data from focus group discussions among 23 elite footballers contracted to various teams in the Women’s A-League to explore the multifaceted barriers they encounter in managing their health. Thematic analysis conducted according to the procedures outlined by Braun et al. revealed three subordinate themes: (a) Unequal Resources, Unequal Health; (b) Short-changed and Stretched Thin; and (c) Periods, Prejudice, and Performance. Athletes generally expressed frustration over unequal access to support services, inadequate resources, and inequitable contractual and facility conditions compared with their male counterparts. These disparities, particularly in menstrual hygiene and health monitoring infrastructure, hinder athletes’ ability to effectively manage their health, potentially leading to long-term consequences for both performance and well-being. Furthermore, the limited availability of medical professionals and support staff poses a significant barrier to comprehensive health monitoring, particularly concerning the detection and management of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. The findings in this work highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms in resource allocation and support structures, lest these inequalities remain in women’s football and directly jeopardize the health, well-being, and long-term success of female athletes.