Menstrual disorders in amateur dancers

Joanna Witkoś,Piotr Wróbel

doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0779-1

Abstract

BackgroundRigorous exercise undertaken by young girls, combined with a negative energetic balance, is related to substantial physiological changes in a competitor’s body, often leading to hormonal imbalance manifested by: delayed puberty, delayed menstruation, menstrual disorders, and even long-term secondary amenorrhoea. Very lean competitors, with insufficient body fat content, are not capable of maintaining oestrogen production at an optimal level, which results in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis abnormalities and menstrual disorders. Studies involving research on menstrual disorders in amateur dancers are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether menstrual disorders are present among young amateur dancers.MethodsThe study involved 233 females of a mean age of 22.1 years (SD ± 4.9), training amateur ballroom dancing. The questionnaire included questions regarding the regularity of the menstrual cycle, including the absence of a menstrual period, causes of menstrual disorders and breakthrough bleeding.ResultsMenstrual disorders following a period of regular menstruation were reported by 132 (56.7%) of ballroom dancers. In 105 (79.5%), the absence of a menstrual period lasted for less than 3 months, in 18 (13.6%) it persisted for 3 up to 6 months, while in 9 (6.8%) it lasted for over 6 months.ConclusionsThe research conducted concluded that with an increased number of hours spent in training by amateur dancers, there was a statistically significant increase in the chance for menstrual disorders; the more training sessions per week there were, the longer the breaks in menstruation were noted.

Highlights

Rigorous exercise undertaken by young girls, combined with a negative energetic balance, is related to substantial physiological changes in a competitor’s body, often leading to hormonal imbalance manifested by: delayed puberty, delayed menstruation, menstrual disorders, and even long-term secondary amenorrhoea [8]
Considering the Body Mass Index (BMI), in the whole studied group, it was proven that on average it amounted to 20.7 ± 2.9, yet BMI below 18.5, denoting underweight, was revealed in 46 (19.7%) of investigated dancers and it amounted to 17.3 ± 1.6. 10 women had BMI indicating overweight (26.3 ± 2), and this represented 4.3% of participants. 151 females declared to be on a weight reduction diet, which amounted to 64.8%
The majority of dancers (37.1%) did not know the causes underlying the occurrence of their menstrual disorders; they did not consult them with a gynaecologist

Summary

Introduction

Rigorous exercise undertaken by young girls, combined with a negative energetic balance, is related to substantial physiological changes in a competitor’s body, often leading to hormonal imbalance manifested by: delayed puberty, delayed menstruation, menstrual disorders, and even long-term secondary amenorrhoea. In order to achieve and maintain a desired, low body weight, alter their eating habits These alterations mainly mean a reduced consumption of particular products and Rigorous exercise undertaken by young girls, combined with a negative energetic balance, is related to substantial physiological changes in a competitor’s body, often leading to hormonal imbalance manifested by: delayed puberty, delayed menstruation, menstrual disorders, and even long-term secondary amenorrhoea (cessation of regular menses for three months or the cessation of irregular menses for six months) [8]. As this is where the metabolism of androgens into

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion