Review, 1983

Does intense athletic training disrupt menstruation?

Athletic training can disrupt periods, especially with significant weight loss and stress, though the causes are similar to non-athletes. This is a literature review, so certainty is limited.

Early or limited evidence Women athletes

What they did

Reviewed medical literature on menstrual function in women athletes.

What they found

Menstrual problems including delayed start, irregular, or missing periods affect women athletes frequently. Low body fat and stress are major causes. Women with premenstrual tension report reduced working capacity during their cycle. The causes are similar in athletes and non-athletes.

What it means for you

Athletic training does not uniquely disrupt periods compared to non-athletes, but weight loss and stress are risk factors. If periods stop for more than a year, hormone treatment should be considered to prevent bone loss. The main limitation is this is a literature review, not new research.

one year or more

Duration of amenorrhea before hormone treatment recommended

About the study

Original title: Athletic activity and menstruation
Authors: Diddle AW
Journal: Southern medical journal
Year: 1983
Study design: Review
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198305000-00023

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Menstrual cycle and mood Stress Adolescents and young people Athletes and sport

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