On occasion, women may experience a slight shift in their menstrual cycles due to a late or missed period. However, a prolonged absence of periods, especially in female athletes, can be dangerous and cause a number of long-term health effects. According to the Georgia Reproductive Specialists, exercise-induced amenorrhea may occur in up to 44 percent of all female athletes, particularly in long distance runners and ballet dancers.
Description
Female athletes who experience late periods may suffer from secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman who previously experienced regular periods stops menstruating for six or more months. According to MedlinePlus, women are more likely to have amenorrhea if they exercise excessively for long periods of time, have less than 15 to 17 percent body fat, lose a lot of weight suddenly, are obese or experience emotional stress or severe anxiety.
Theories
The Georgia Reproductive Specialists explain that the mechanisms of missed periods in female athletes are unclear. However, they propose four theories that may explain the cause of missed or late periods due to sports: critical fat hypothesis, energy drain, eating disorders and mental or physical stress. Critical fat hypothesis suggests that a woman must maintain a certain amount of critical fat to menstruate regularly. Energy drain in athletes suggests abnormal endocrine and hormone activity, leading to menstrual problems. The malnourishment caused by disordered eating may interrupt regular nutrient needs for successful menstruation. Lastly, associated changes in certain hormones brought on by stress or physical activity possibly interfere with the hormones required for menstruation.
Female Athlete Triad
Some female athletes may experience late or missed periods if they suffer from a condition commonly found in high-intensity female exercisers called the female athlete triad. In the triad, initially, a female athlete may feel pressured to maintain a certain physique or weight and will develop disordered eating habits to severely limit her caloric intake. Intense exercise and low calorie consumption can lead to a decrease in female hormone levels, which can lead to missed periods or amenorrhea. Low estrogen levels and poor nutrition can compound into the third condition—osteoporosis, or weakened, porous bones. The female athlete triad can be very dangerous and cause long-term health effects. Seek professional help if you suspect you or someone you know may suffer from this condition.
Complications
While some female athletes may not be troubled by a missed or late period, or may even feel relief, exercise-induced amenorrhea is a sign of estrogen deficiency and is a serious condition, according to Dr. Karine Chung of the University of Southern California. Low levels of estrogen over an extended period of time can lead to infertility, atrophy of the vagina and breasts and osteoporosis. Exercise-induced amenorrhea may even increase the risk of heart attacks later in life.
Considerations
Abnormal menstrual cycles can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease or uterine cancer. If you are experiencing irregular periods, speak with your doctor. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment usually involves raising estrogen levels, either by increased caloric intake or hormone replacement therapy. A review and adjustments of your training regimen may also be in order.
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