If you participate in sports that require rigorous training and exercise, you may find that your menstrual cycle is sometimes interrupted. Several factors combine to contribute to the inability to ovulate in women who strenuously exercise, including low body fat, stress and high energy expenditure.
Ovulation
Every month, your pituitary gland, which is located in your brain sends a signal to your ovaries letting them know that it is time to prepare an egg for ovulation. These signals are sent in the form of hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone, LH. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to release an egg for ovulation.
Exercise, Stress and Body Weight
Women who participate in sports that require rigorous training, such as ballet, long-distance running or gymnastics, may find their menstrual cycle interrupted. This could be from mental stress as well as low body weight. Mental stress usually is associated with the competitive nature and exercise required to be successful, and low body weight can come from extreme dieting. These factors combined affect the release of hormones from the brain causing an ovulation disorder. A study published in 2009 in the journal "Human Reproduction" suggests that approximately half of exercising women experience subtle menstrual disturbances, such as irregular ovulation, and that one third of exercising women may be amenorrheic -- skipping periods.
Ovulation Disorders
Irregularities in the part of the brain that controls ovulation, the pituitary gland, can cause low levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone. Low levels of these hormones can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs, which is called anovulation.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can develop when you take fertility medication that acts directly on your ovaries, stimulating them to produce multiple eggs. This egg issue can also be seen in young women who strenuously exercise but they tend to have numerous eggs due to anovulation. According to MayoClinic.com, it is important to maintain light physical activity but avoid strenuous high impact activities with this condition. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing abdominal pain, notice rapid or unusual weight gain overall or in your abdomen. A physician can help you monitor and control the pain associated with this condition.
Conclusion
Regular exercise usually does not affect ovary stimulation. When ovarian stimulation is affected, it usually involves more strenuous exercising. Other medical reasons can also be involved in affecting ovarian stimulation and should be investigated with your medical provider for proper management.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Amenorrhea; Mayo Clinic Staff; May 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Infertility; Mayo Clinic Staff; June 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; Mayo Clinic Staff; January 2011
- "Human Reproduction"; High Prevalence of Subtle and Severe Menstrual Disturbances in Exercising Women ...; M.J. De Souza, et al.; October 2009
