Although regular exercise plays an important role in promoting optimal health and fitness, very vigorous exercise can affect your menstrual periods. Amenorrhea is the medical term for missed menstrual periods. If physical activity is responsible for your menstrual irregularity, cutting back on the intensity of your exercise and restructuring your workout routine can help your periods return to normal.
Amenorrhea
The underlying cause of amenorrhea is seldom serious, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although normal menstrual cycles can vary somewhat, most women have periods every 26 to 35 days, with bleeding that lasts an average of three to five days. Changes in menstrual periods occur because of changes in hormone balance.
Fertility
A lack of menstrual periods generally reflects a lack of ovulation, a condition that causes temporary infertility. During the months that you fail to ovulate, you cannot become pregnant. Treating amenorrhea often involves taking estrogen and progesterone. Your doctor may also recommend changing your exercise routine to promote normal periods.
Exercise
Too much exercise is a common cause of amenorrhea. Female athletes with minimal amounts of body fat are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities. Cutting back on the amount of exercise and the level of intensity may help your periods return to normal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend exercising at a moderate level of aerobic activity for about 150 minutes per week. The CDC also advises participating in muscle strengthening activities at least twice each week. Forms of aerobic activity include brisk walking, pushing a lawn mower, riding a bicycle on slightly hilly surfaces and performing water aerobics. Strengthening activities include working out with resistance bands, lifting weights and performing certain yoga poses that require supporting the weight of your body.
Considerations
Tell your doctor about menstrual irregularities, especially if reducing the intensity and frequency of your exercise routine fails to alleviate this problem. Besides too much exercise, other possible causes of amenorrhea include pregnancy, breastfeeding, thyroid problems, premature menopause and pituitary tumors. Some types of medication, such as corticosteroids and oral contraceptives, may also be responsible for changes in your period. Being underweight and going through periods of stress may also affect your hormone balance, increasing your risk of missed menstrual periods.
