Early menopause--defined by the American Medical Association as the cessation of menstruation for 12 months or longer in women younger than 40--occurs rarely, and usually in individuals with certain medical conditions or other risk factors. Exercise--no matter how strenuous--does not cause early menopause, according to the WomensHealth.gov website. However, strenuous exercise can cause secondary amenorrhea, when your normal periods stop for three months or more, which you might mistake for early menopause. If you experience irregular periods or the cessation of your cycle, contact your primary care provider.
Significance
When a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which means she can no longer become pregnant. Unlike menopause, which is a permanent condition, exercise-induced amenorrhea is a temporary condition that occurs when the energy demands of strenuous exercise cause your body to go into "starvation mode" and shut down unnecessary functions, including ovulation, to keep your basic life functions going.
Identification
Your doctor can use blood tests that measure estrogen and other hormones, including the follicle-stimulating hormone blood test, along with physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep problems and menstrual irregularities, to determine if you are in menopause or experiencing secondary amenorrhea. She will also gather information on your medical history and your family history, since early menopause often runs in families.
Risk Factors
In women younger than 40, the American Medical Association indicates that strenuous exercise is just one of the factors that can cause a period to stop. Others conditions that can lead to secondary amenorrhea include pregnancy, stress, extremely low body weight and medications like antidepressants or chemotherapy medications.
Prevention/Solution
If your doctor determines that the cessation of your periods is due to exercise-induced amenorrhea, not early menopause, he might suggest that you make changes to your diet and exercise program to get your periods back on track. Maintaining a healthy weight by eating enough and refraining from exercising obsessively can help you keep your cycles regular.
Expert Insight
Exercise-induced amenorrhea can have serious, long-term health consequences, according to Dr. Karine Chung of the USC Fertility website. Dr. Chung cautions that a lack of estrogen can cause infertility, osteoporosis and atrophy of the vagina and breasts. Prolonged amenorrhea can also increase your risk of heart attacks in later life.
References
- American Council on Exercise: Exercise and Menopause
- "The American Medical Association Essential Guide to Menopause"; American Medical Association; 1998
- USC Fertility: 5 Things You Should Know About Exercise-Induced Amenorrhea
- FamilyDoctor.org: Amenorrhea: What You Should Know
- WomensHealth.gov: Early Menopause
- MayoClinic.com: Premature ovarian failure
