As Dr. William Sterett, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in the athletic community of Vail, Colorado, I’ve worked closely with countless female athletes. One question that’s come up more frequently in recent years is this: Does my menstrual cycle affect my risk of tearing my ACL?

The short answer is yes—there is growing evidence that hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can influence ligament laxity and neuromuscular control, which in turn may increase the risk of ACL injury during specific phases.

It is a well-established fact in sports medicine that females are more susceptible to ACL injuries than their male counterparts. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial stabilizing ligament in the knee, and its injury can have significant implications for an individual's mobility and athletic performance. Understanding the factors that contribute to this gender discrepancy is essential for effective injury prevention and treatment.

Here are the risk factors relate to our female athletes and contribute to their higher rates of ACL injuries.