Amenorrhea, the lack of a menstrual period, comes in two forms. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a female reaches puberty age and does not start menstruating. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a female who has been menstruating regularly suddenly ceases to menstruate. There are many possible causes of secondary amenorrhea, including over-exercising. Exercising every day should not affect your period unless you are exercising in an unsafe, excessive manner. Your weight and general health determine what level of exercise is excessive for you.
Secondary Amenorrhea
A woman is experiencing secondary amenorrhea when she ceases to menstruate for more than three cycles or six months. Causes of this condition including pregnancy, eating disorders, drastic weight loss, stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalance and too much exercise. If you experience secondary amenorrhea you should seek a physician's advice to determine what is causing your condition.
Drastic Weight Reduction
Drastic weight loss can cause the loss of menstrual periods. Low body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) can also cause amenorrhea as your body undergoes hormonal changes that can inhibit ovulation and begins to conserve resources when body weight is low. If exercising every day is causing you to have a low BMI, it may be affecting your period.
Escessive Exercise
While exercise is healthy, it can be taken to unhealthy extremes. Moderate exercise every day should not affect your period. However, women who participate in sports that require vigorous training or who embark on extreme fitness regimes often find their menstrual cycle interrupted. This happens because of low body fat, stress and high energy expenditure. It is therefore important to ensure your exercise routine is within normal, safe bounds.
Consult a Physician
If you experience amenorrhea, your physician will try to determine if it is caused by your exercise or other factors. Bring a detailed menstrual history with you to your physician's visit, including the dates of your last menstrual period, your sexual history and a list of all medications, including birth control, that you are taking. Also bring a detailed account of your exercising habits, including how often your exercise, how long you exercise and what sorts of exercises you perform. Mention any recent changes in weight and other problems you have noticed.
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