Changes in eating or exercise habits can lead to changes in your menstrual cycle. A sudden change is generally a sign of hormonal imbalance but could also be symptomatic of deeper health issues. To be safe, consult with your doctor to pin down the cause of any menstrual cycle changes.
Menstrual Cessation
The stress of regular participation in physically demanding sports, such as tennis, ballet, running and swimming, increases the risk of menstrual cessation, or amenorrhea. The female body uses fat to store estrogen; low body fat makes it impossible for estrogen to be stored. According to the Australian government's "Better Health Channel," this lack of estrogen disables the pituitary gland's capacity to release the chemicals that control the action of sex hormones.
Teenage Menstruation
Teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 19 require a body fat percentage of 20 percent for regular menstruation to occur. Amenorrhea is not always exclusive to physical stress. Menstrual cessation in girls who are not overly active often indicates poor eating habits, such as crash dieting, skipping meals and eating disorders. This weight-related type of amenorrhea is commonly associated with calcium and iron deficiencies but should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out other health concerns.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are foreign substances that behave chemically like estrogen, thus disrupting the endocrine system, the main headquarters for sexual function and reproductive processes. Xenoestrogens include certain pesticides, growth hormones and other manmade substances in many consumer foods and products. The effects of xenoestrogens can be seen in the acceleration of sexual attributes and menstruation in girls of younger ages, says OB/GYN Marcelle Pick of WomentoWomen.com.
Phytonutrients
Certain phytonutrients, or nutrients derived from plant materials, counteract the negative qualities of xenoestrogens. Such phytonutrients are called phytoestrogens, and serve to restore hormone balance by binding to estrogen receptors and protecting them from damage. Phytoestrogens can be found in soybeans, licorice, yams and alfalfa.
