Jordan Nobbs has called for research into a link between menstrual cycles and ACL injuries which affect female footballers significantly more than male.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Jordan Nobbs presents on BT Sport during the FA WSL Cup match between Arsenal Women and Manchester United Women at Meadow Park on February 07, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Jordan Nobbs presents on BT Sport during the FA WSL Cup match between Arsenal Women and Manchester United Women at Meadow Park on February 07, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

“Until I got injured I didn’t really know that a lot of women do it while in their menstrual cycle,” Nobbs told the BBC while adding that her period had begun the morning of her injury.

Oestrogen, which is released during menstruation, can increase joint flexibility according to current research.

“I was very tired leading up to that week and I was on the first day of my menstrual cycle,” Nobbs continued.

“I’m not one for saying it was that, but the facts on how so many women have done their knee and been on their menstrual cycle is very high.

“I don’t know if it was down to that but it was a very high factor.”

Conversations like this are still very much taboo in society, never mind in the world of football.

However, it must be acknowledged that if men had to endure a menstrual cycle, we would discuss it with the same reaction as someone talking about washing their hair.

Back in November, we spoke to Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT, a Wellness coach and performance specialist from LA about the ACL problem. He put together this brilliant video about the injury, why it happens, how surgery repairs the problem, and part of the reason women suffer ACLs more than men: