YOUR HORMONES

Yep, the gender divide hits the shoulders, too. ‘The female hormone oestrogen affects collagen synthesis, making women’s joints laxer, easier to injure and slower to repair than men’s,’ says physical therapist Jessica Hettler.

the fix Your choice of birth control could help. Hormonal contraceptives may significantly reduce the risk of ligament injury, says recent research in the Orthopaedic Journal Of Sports Medicine. Not your bag? Hettler explains that you’re most prone to ligament injury in the luteal phase (from ovulation until your period starts), so keep an eye on your form and intensity during that time of the month to help avoid injury.