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Women use creatine differently from men, survey reveals (opens in a new tab)

news-medical.net · 2026-09-10

Short answerEvidenceSource

Short answer

Mostly supported

Mostly supported.

The claims we could check match the study, but some claims were not covered by the evidence reviewed.

  • 4 supported
  • 1 not covered

Checked against the study summary. The full text wasn't available, so some details couldn't be settled either way.

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NewsLink checks it

Mostly supported

Every claim we could check holds up. Four of five claims match the study. This overall rating is based only on the claims we could check. One claim the study doesn't address.

  • 4 supported
  • 1 not covered
Open claim evidence
3

The source study

Creatine Use Among Women Across Reported Duration-of-Use Groups: A Platform-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Supplementation Behaviors, Motivations, Knowledge, and Experiences

Nutrients · 2026
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Source paper

Source layer

The 2 papers the story cites

Source study separated from background citations.

The research anchor for the report.

  • The study this story reportsmentioned without context

    Creatine Use Among Women Across Reported Duration-of-Use Groups: A Platform-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Supplementation Behaviors, Motivations, Knowledge, and Experiences

    Nutrients · 2026

    Publisher (opens in a new tab)
  • The study this story reportspresented as the new finding

    Creatine Use Among Women Across Reported Duration-of-Use Groups: A Platform-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Supplementation Behaviors, Motivations, Knowledge, and Experiences

    Where the story links (opens in a new tab)
Then inspect each claim

Evidence layer

Claim by claim

Each claim gets a verdict. Expand it to see the evidence directly below.

5 claims in this story

Showing all 5 claimsChoose a verdict to focus the list.

Claim 1 of 5Not coveredThe study used a large cross-sectional survey conducted through the SuppCo supplement-tracking and consumer-education platform, with about 2,233 submitted questionnaires and an analyzed duration-based sample of 2,094 current or recent creatine users.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedApproximately 2% response rate; 1,055 women and 1,039 men in the analyzed sample.

Why this verdict

The abstract-level profile supports the cross-sectional SuppCo/platform convenience survey design, the approximately 2.0% response rate, and the analyzed sample of 2094 current or recent users with 1055 women and 1039 men. However, the claim’s statement that about 2233 questionnaires were submitted is not present in the supplied abstract-depth profile, so that part is not verifiable at this evidence depth.

1

Study evidence

Women were overrepresented in shorter reported duration-of-use categories and underrepresented in the longest (3+ year) category: women made up 50.0–63.9% of respondents in categories <3 years but only 19.7% in the 3+ year group; age-adjusted categorical analysis showed a strong difference across duration groups (global p < 0.001).Odds ratios for identifying as a woman (each shorter duration group vs 3+ years): 3.9–7.5

“In a cross-sectional, supplement-platform convenience survey (approximately 2.0% response rate; a secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort), 2094 current or recent creatine users (1055 women, 1039 men) reported duration of use”
2

Study evidence

Women were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a supplementation goal in age- and duration-adjusted models.Adjusted percentages: women 37.5% vs men 50.2%

“Gender differences were estimated in age- and duration-adjusted models, pooled across duration groups, with Benjamini–Hochberg correction within domain; gender × duration interactions were tested for the goal and information-source outcomes.”
Claim 2 of 5SupportedA recent study published in Nutrients found that, within a SuppCo survey sample, women were disproportionately represented in shorter-duration creatine-use groups compared with men.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedWomen made up 50% to 64% of respondents in several shorter-duration groups, versus 20% in the 3+ years group; adjusted odds were 3.9 to 7.5 times higher in shorter-duration categories relative to 3+ years.

Why this verdict

The abstract-level profile supports that this was a cross-sectional SuppCo/platform convenience survey of 2094 current or recent creatine users, and that women comprised 50.0–63.9% of respondents in duration categories below three years versus 19.7% in the 3+ year category. It also supports the age-adjusted odds range of 3.9–7.5 for identifying as a woman in shorter-duration categories relative to 3+ years. The story frames the result as within-sample and observational, not causal.

1

Study evidence

Women were overrepresented in shorter reported duration-of-use categories and underrepresented in the longest (3+ year) category: women made up 50.0–63.9% of respondents in categories <3 years but only 19.7% in the 3+ year group; age-adjusted categorical analysis showed a strong difference across duration groups (global p < 0.001).Odds ratios for identifying as a woman (each shorter duration group vs 3+ years): 3.9–7.5

“In a cross-sectional, supplement-platform convenience survey (approximately 2.0% response rate; a secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort), 2094 current or recent creatine users (1055 women, 1039 men) reported duration of use”
Claim 3 of 5SupportedWomen were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a supplementation goal and more likely to report healthy aging as a goal.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedEstimated rates were 37.5% among women and 50.2% among men for athletic performance.

Why this verdict

The profile supports age- and duration-adjusted gender comparisons showing women were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a goal, with adjusted percentages of 37.5% vs 50.2%, and more likely to report healthy aging as a goal. The healthy-aging contrast is supported directionally, although the abstract-level profile does not provide a numeric effect size for it.

1

Study evidence

Women were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a supplementation goal in age- and duration-adjusted models.Adjusted percentages: women 37.5% vs men 50.2%

“Gender differences were estimated in age- and duration-adjusted models, pooled across duration groups, with Benjamini–Hochberg correction within domain; gender × duration interactions were tested for the goal and information-source outcomes.”
Claim 4 of 5SupportedWomen had lower overall scores on a five-item creatine knowledge measure, and the gap in self-rated confidence widened at higher knowledge levels.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedThe confidence difference remained modest, at 0.38 points on the 1-5 scale, at the highest knowledge score.

Why this verdict

The profile supports that women had lower overall five-item knowledge-alignment scores compared with men and that self-rated confidence was modeled using knowledge, gender, and their interaction. It also supports the reported interaction pattern: women reported progressively lower confidence than men as knowledge scores increased, with an adjusted −0.38-point difference at the highest observed knowledge score.

1

Study evidence

Women were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a supplementation goal in age- and duration-adjusted models.Adjusted percentages: women 37.5% vs men 50.2%

“Gender differences were estimated in age- and duration-adjusted models, pooled across duration groups, with Benjamini–Hochberg correction within domain; gender × duration interactions were tested for the goal and information-source outcomes.”
2

Study evidence

Regression of self-rated confidence on knowledge alignment, gender, and their interaction showed a significant interaction (p = 0.012): women reported progressively lower self-rated confidence than men as knowledge-alignment scores increased; adjusted difference −0.38 points at the highest observed knowledge score.interaction p = 0.012; adjusted difference −0.38 points at highest knowledge score

“Self-rated confidence was modeled as a function of knowledge, gender, and their interaction.”
Claim 5 of 5SupportedThe article says the findings cannot establish causality and may reflect nonresponse bias, selection effects, misclassification, or other limitations of the convenience sample.View evidenceHide evidence

Why this verdict

The profile’s limitations support the story’s caveat framing: the study is cross-sectional and cannot establish causality; it used a supplement-platform convenience sample with an approximately 2.0% response rate, raising selection/nonresponse and generalizability concerns; and self-reported measures may involve misclassification or measurement error. The story appropriately presents these as limitations rather than as proven biases.

1

Study evidence

Women were overrepresented in shorter reported duration-of-use categories and underrepresented in the longest (3+ year) category: women made up 50.0–63.9% of respondents in categories <3 years but only 19.7% in the 3+ year group; age-adjusted categorical analysis showed a strong difference across duration groups (global p < 0.001).Odds ratios for identifying as a woman (each shorter duration group vs 3+ years): 3.9–7.5

“In a cross-sectional, supplement-platform convenience survey (approximately 2.0% response rate; a secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort), 2094 current or recent creatine users (1055 women, 1039 men) reported duration of use”
2

Study evidence

Among women creatine users, knowledge-alignment scores (five-item battery) were higher at longer reported durations of use and the association with duration persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and physical activity.Adjusted global categorical test p < 0.001

“Among women, goals and information sources were compared across duration-of-use bands using unadjusted tests of homogeneity, and knowledge alignment was evaluated using an ordered trend test.”
Then look for missing context

Context layer

What the story left out

Important study details the story did not include.

  • Within-women duration analysis: among women, knowledge alignment was higher at longer reported durations, and lower knowledge alignment among shorter-duration women reflected greater uncertainty rather than greater myth endorsement.

    The story focuses on between-gender knowledge and confidence differences, but it does not clearly report the women-only duration gradient in knowledge alignment or the uncertainty-versus-myth-endorsement interpretation from the abstract-level profile.

    From Cross-sectional women-only subgroup analysis (platform-based convenience survey)

  • Information-source findings: six of seven information sources differed by gender, and information sources were also compared across women’s duration-of-use bands.

    The story presentation does not include the paper’s information-source results or methods, despite these being part of the profile’s primary/secondary contributions.

    From Cross-sectional women-only subgroup analysis (platform-based convenience survey); Cross-sectional comparative analysis (

5 things the story did carry across
  • Primary duration-of-use representation finding: women were more represented in shorter reported creatine-use duration categories and much less represented in the 3+ year group, based on age-adjusted cross-sectional modeling.
  • Gender differences in supplementation goals: women were less likely than men to report athletic performance and more likely to report healthy aging, in age- and duration-adjusted pooled analyses.
  • Gender differences in knowledge alignment and the knowledge-by-gender confidence interaction.
  • Core design and sample context: cross-sectional supplement-platform convenience survey of current or recent creatine users, with 2094 analyzed participants, 1055 women, 1039 men, and approximately 2.0% response rate.
  • Interpretation-changing limitations: cross-sectional design precludes causal inference; convenience sampling and low response rate limit generalizability; self-report creates measurement-error or misclassification risk; potential residual confounding/unmeasured factors remain.
Then read the study layer

Study layer

Study at a glance

Scan the study first. Expand only the parts you want to inspect.

Pieces of work

4

Evidence read

study summary

Lead result

human in vivo

1Lead resulthuman in vivoCharacterize how women are represented across reported creatine duration-of-use categories (vs men), using age-adjusted models and trend testing in a cross-sectional supplement-platform survey of current/recent users.Cross-sectional convenience survey; age-adjusted logistic regression of categorical duration bandsExpand

In plain English

In a cross-sectional, supplement-platform convenience survey of 2094 current or past-12-month creatine users (1055 women, 1039 men; mean age 53 y), the authors evaluated representation of women across six ordered duration-of-use bands using an age-adjusted logistic regression with duration as a categorical factor and reported a Cochran–Armitage trend test. Women made up 50.0–63.9% of respondents in duration categories below three years but only 19.7% of those reporting 3+ years. In the primary age-adjusted analysis, gender composition differed strongly across duration categories (global p < 0.001); relative to the 3+ year group, the odds of identifying as a woman were 3.9- to 7.5-fold higher in every shorter-duration category.

Key findings

  • Women were overrepresented in shorter reported duration-of-use categories and underrepresented in the longest (3+ year) category: women made up 50.0–63.9% of respondents in categories <3 years but only 19.7% in the 3+ year group; age-adjusted categorical analysis showed a strong difference across duration groups (global p < 0.001).Odds ratios for identifying as a woman (each shorter duration group vs 3+ years): 3.9–7.5
“In a cross-sectional, supplement-platform convenience survey (approximately 2.0% response rate; a secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort), 2094 current or recent creatine users (1055 women, 1039 men) reported duration of use”
What this piece can’t prove
  • Convenience sampling from a supplement-platform cohort and low reported response rate (~2.0%) limit generalizability.
  • Self-reported gender and duration-of-use categories may be subject to misclassification.
  • Cross-sectional secondary analysis cannot determine why women are less represented in the 3+ year group (no causal inference).
  • Abstract reports age-adjustment for the primary analysis; other potential confounders are not described in this appraisal unit.
2human in vivoAmong women users, compare motivations/goals, information sources, and knowledge-alignment patterns across duration-of-use bands (including adjusted association of knowledge alignment with duration and characterization of uncertainty vs myth endorsement).Cross-sectional women-only subgroup analysis (platform-based convenience survey)Expand

In plain English

In a women-only subgroup analysis of a platform-based cross-sectional supplement survey (n=1,055 women reporting current or past-12-month creatine use), the authors compared reported supplementation goals and information sources across six ordered duration-of-use bands using unadjusted homogeneity tests, and evaluated a five-item creatine knowledge-alignment battery across duration bands with an ordered trend test and multivariable adjustment (age, BMI, physical activity). The abstract reports that knowledge alignment was higher at longer reported durations and that lower knowledge alignment among shorter-duration women reflected greater uncertainty rather than endorsement of myths; specific within-women results for goals and information sources by duration are not detailed in the abstract.

Key findings

  • Among women creatine users, knowledge-alignment scores (five-item battery) were higher at longer reported durations of use and the association with duration persisted after adjustment for age, BMI, and physical activity.Adjusted global categorical test p < 0.001
  • Lower knowledge alignment among shorter-duration women was characterized in the abstract as reflecting greater uncertainty (i.e., more 'don't know' responses) rather than greater endorsement of creatine-related myths.
“Among women, goals and information sources were compared across duration-of-use bands using unadjusted tests of homogeneity, and knowledge alignment was evaluated using an ordered trend test.”
What this piece can’t prove
  • Cross-sectional, observational design precludes causal inference regarding duration and knowledge.
  • Platform-based convenience sample with a low reported overall response rate (~2.0%) and secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort, introducing potential selection bias and limited generalizability.

2 further details could not be confirmed from the summary.

3human in vivoEstimate gender differences (pooled across duration groups) in goals, information sources, and knowledge alignment; test gender × duration interactions for goals and information sources with multiplicity control.Cross-sectional comparative analysis (gender)Expand

In plain English

Pooled, age- and duration-adjusted comparisons between women and men respondents in a cross-sectional supplement-platform survey (n=2094; 1055 women, 1039 men) found gender differences in supplementation goals, information sources, and knowledge-alignment. Models were adjusted for age and reported duration of creatine use, multiplicity was controlled within outcome domains using Benjamini–Hochberg, and gender × duration interactions were tested for goals and information sources.

Key findings

  • Women were less likely than men to report athletic performance as a supplementation goal in age- and duration-adjusted models.Adjusted percentages: women 37.5% vs men 50.2%
  • Women were more likely than men to report healthy aging as a supplementation goal (pooled, age- and duration-adjusted).
“Gender differences were estimated in age- and duration-adjusted models, pooled across duration groups, with Benjamini–Hochberg correction within domain; gender × duration interactions were tested for the goal and information-source outcomes.”
What this piece can’t prove
  • Cross-sectional, convenience sample from a supplement platform with a low response rate (~2.0%), limiting representativeness and precluding causal inference.

2 further details could not be confirmed from the summary.

4human in vivoModel self-rated confidence as a function of knowledge alignment, gender, and their interaction (gender difference in confidence conditional on observed knowledge).cross-sectional regression modeling (knowledge × gender interaction)Expand

In plain English

In a cross-sectional supplement-platform survey, self-rated confidence was modeled as a function of knowledge-alignment score, participant gender, and their interaction. The model found a significant knowledge-by-gender interaction (p = 0.012): women reported progressively lower self-rated confidence than men as observed knowledge-alignment scores increased, with an adjusted difference of −0.38 points at the highest observed knowledge score.

Key findings

  • Regression of self-rated confidence on knowledge alignment, gender, and their interaction showed a significant interaction (p = 0.012): women reported progressively lower self-rated confidence than men as knowledge-alignment scores increased; adjusted difference −0.38 points at the highest observed knowledge score.interaction p = 0.012; adjusted difference −0.38 points at highest knowledge score
“Self-rated confidence was modeled as a function of knowledge, gender, and their interaction.”
What this piece can’t prove
  • Cross-sectional design—associations only, no causal inference.
  • Convenience, platform-based sample with low response rate (~2.0%) and secondary analysis of a previously reported cohort—limited generalizability.
  • Abstract does not provide full measurement or modeling details (e.g., scale ranges, model covariates beyond the interaction specification).
  • Possible residual confounding and self-report measurement biases.
Finally, the search trail

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Open the paper in Tessa

Creatine Use Among Women Across Reported Duration-of-Use Groups: A Platform-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Supplementation Behaviors, Motivations, Knowledge, and Experiences

Nutrients · 2026

Source record (opens in a new tab)

Why this one

Near certain

NewsLink found the paper. Tessa is where you inspect it deeply.

Papers considered

The selected paper, plus nearby candidates.

Crossref, PubMed, Europe PMC · 15 candidate papers

Selected

Creatine Use Among Women Across Reported Duration-of-Use Groups: A Platform-Based Cross-Sectional Survey of Supplementation Behaviors, Motivations, Knowledge, and Experiences

Nutrients · 2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)

And 9 more candidates considered.