Meet Mette Hansen, who is, in her own words, somewhat of a mutant or a hybrid; she is both educated as a human sport science physiologist and holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition, and this is reflected in her research profile, which is twofold.

When Mette Hansen was first employed at the Department of Public Health in 2012, it was to conduct nutritional research and to teach students in sport nutrition. Her position was externally funded by Team Denmark and Arla, and she primarily researched proteins in relation to sports, muscles, and recovery.

Since then, Mette Hansen has increased her research into the female sex hormone estrogen, revisiting the topic of both her PhD and postdoc.

Mette Hansen researches women and their hormones broadly, ranging from the young elite athlete to the untrained older women after menopause. She examines the female sex hormone in relation to the menstrual cycle, lack of cycle, and menopause.

"Our current foundation for advising on contraception and estrogen supplements is too narrow. We have looked at this field of study far too narrowly for too long."

According to Mette Hansen, there are a plethora of unanswered questions in this research field, and she believes that women's research related to sports science and human nutrition is lagging behind. Severely.

Several of Mette Hansen's research projects investigate how birth control pills affect adaptation to training among young women, and part of the research focuses on female elite athletes and their ability to perform in their respective sports.

"In my protein research, I have been involved in testing the men's junior national cycling team during their training camp in Lanzarote, and I have tested male and female orienteers in Portugal. That is fun field research."

Before the Olympics in Paris in 2024, Mette Hansen received a phone call from a top female athlete asking if she would advise her to switch from her current contraception to a hormonal IUD before the important competitions or not.

However, there is a long way to go before Mette Hansen can answer such questions based on evidence, and it frustrates her. So she intends to do something about it.

Mette Hansen believes that it is crucial for general practitioners to be informed on the latest research when advising women on contraception or estrogen for menopause. Their guidance should be evidence-based and consider not only the effectiveness in preventing pregnancy but also the impacts on other physiological factors and mental health.

"In the field of female hormone research, I can be a first mover and make a real difference."

"Our current foundation for advising on contraception and estrogen supplements is too narrow. We have looked at this field of study far too narrowly for too long."

"I can make a bigger difference in the field of female hormone research than in protein research, where there is great interest from both foundations, politicians and society in general, and many peers as well. In the field of female hormone research, I can be a first mover and make a real difference."

Mette Hansen's research area: Sport Science