01/09/2026
The phase of your menstrual cycle at the time of injury can affect symptom severity and recovery length.
Research suggests concussions occurring during the luteal phase (when progesterone is high and then rapidly drops) are associated with:
• worse symptoms
• longer recovery
• more emotional and cognitive disruption
This isn’t weakness.
It’s neurobiology.
Your hormones affect brain energy, inflammation, sleep, and stress tolerance; all critical for concussion healing.
Your cycle isn’t “extra information.”
It’s clinical data. Tell your concussion specialist!
📚 Research highlights:
• Wunderle et al., Journal of Neurotrauma – menstrual phase and concussion outcomes
• Di Battista et al., Frontiers in Neurology – s*x differences in TBI pathophysiology
• Recent reviews on mitochondrial dysfunction, hormone withdrawal, and female-specific recovery patterns
We don’t need fear, we need informed care.