I’ve heard that women are more likely to injure their ACL than men. If this is linked to hormones can’t hormones be used to change it?

Researchers are looking at the link between women, hormones, and knee injuries. It’s clear that women have more injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than men. The differences in hormone levels are the most obvious place to look for the cause.

A recent study of this topic was done at the University of North Carolina Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences. The results showed a wide range in hormone levels from woman to woman. There was an equal amount of change across the monthly cycle.

Large changes in hormone levels can occur in a single day. It appears there’s also a time lag. In other words the effects of hormone changes don’t show up for three or four days.

Much more study is needed on this topic before it’s clear how to prevent these injuries. Taking hormones may not be the best answer.