s for athletic amenorrhoea
Athletic amenorrhoea may be more common in women who play very intense sports, such as:
- long-distance running
Long-term complications of athletic amenorrhoea
The long-term complications of untreated athletic amenorrhoea include:
- reduced fertility – women are less likely to get pregnant if they do not menstruate regularly, but athletic amenorrhoea has no effect on long-term fertility once regular menstruation returns
- high levels of blood cholesterol – are caused by an oestrogen-related fall in the ratio of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) to bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL)
- loss of bone density – this may cause osteopenia (low bone density, but not low enough to be osteoporosis) or osteoporosis (brittle bones that break easily), especially if peak bone density has not yet been reached because of age
- premature ageing – the skin loses its flexibility because of low levels of oestrogen.
Diagnosis of athletic amenorrhoea
For a doctor to diagnose athletic amenorrhoea, all other possible causes, such as certain reproductive disorders, need to be eliminated first.
Tests can include:
- pregnancy tests, which can be either a urine or blood test
- physical examination to check overall health and see if other sexual characteristics, such as breasts and pubic hair, have developed
- medical history, including gynaecological history and contraceptive methods used
- hormone tests to check how the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries are working
- other scans, which can include CT scans and ultrasounds of the reproductive system.
Treatment for athletic amenorrhoea
Treatment options for athletic amenorrhoea depend on the person, but can include:
- exercising less often or choosing sports that are not as intense
- putting on two or three kilograms of body fat
- starting the combined oral contraceptive pill or hormone therapy if dietary changes and reduced exercise do not result in regular menstruation returning
- making dietary changes such as increasing calcium and daily kilojoules
- taking calcium supplements to increase bone strength and prevent osteoporosis
- seeking counselling if an eating disorder is an issue.
Where to get help
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Jean Hailes for Women's Health
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