title: Pre-participation gynecological evaluation of female athletes: a new proposal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose the inclusion of a gynecological investigation during the evaluation of athletes before competitions, using a specific instrument called the Pre-participation Gynecological Examination (PPGE).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study assessed 148 athletes, mean age of 15.4±2.0 years, who engaged in eight different sports modalities, and who responded to a questionnaire named Pre-Participation Gynecological Examination (PPGE), to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (for urinary loss), and to the Eating Attitudes Test (for eating disorders).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty percent of the participants reported irregular menstrual intervals, 23.0% did not know about sexually transmitted diseases, and 72.4% denied having, at least, an annual gynecological appointment. The study identified 18.2% who had urinary loss, and 15% presented with an increased risk of eating disorders. Moreover, 89.9% were not familiar with the occurrence of urinary incontinence in athletes and did not know that they were susceptible to the female athlete triad. A total of 87.1% of them stated that would not mention these issues to their coaches even if this would improve their health or performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pre-Participation Gynecological Examination can be considered an easy-to-apply instrument that allowed the diagnosis of alterations often underestimated by the athletes themselves. After its application, the alterations were identified, and determined the athletes' referral to appropriate evaluation and treatment.
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Tathiana Rebizzi
authors: TR
authors: Parmigiano
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Eliana Viana Monteiro
authors: EV
authors: Zucchi
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Maíta Poli de
authors: MP
authors: Araujo
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Camila Santa Cruz
authors: CS
authors: Guindalini
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Rodrigo de Aquino
authors: Rde A
authors: Castro
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Zsuzsanna Ilona Katalin de Jármy
authors: ZI
authors: Di Bella
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Manoel João Batista Castello
authors: MJ
authors: Girão
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Moisés
authors: M
authors: Cohen
authors: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Marair Gracio Ferreira
authors: MG
authors: Sartori
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D053716:Female Athlete Triad Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D058869:Gynecological Examination / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
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