Abnormal Menstrual Cycles

Abstract

Relevant for female athletes in general and especially in adolescent female athletes are the long-term consequences of insufficient energy intake that results in menstrual cycle disturbances and low bone mineral density. Prolonged exercise as practiced by elite athletes can lead to serious, long-term health problems if diet is not adjusted to compensate for energy expenditure. A good barometer of how energy intake matches energy expenditure in female athletes is menstrual function. Eumenorrhea is the term used to describe normal length, regular menstrual cycles. Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent menses or menstrual cycles that occur inconsistently at intervals of 39–90 days. Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual cycles in a nonpregnant, sexually mature woman. When menstrual cycles become disordered as a result of prolonged or excessive exercise, there very well may be an issue related to insufficient energy intake, and consultation of a health care provider knowledgeable in sports medicine is strongly advised to correct the situation. The standard curriculum for high school and college coaches of female athletes should include the health consequences of exercise-induced menstrual function and specific methods of prevention and treatment.