Prevalence of Exercise Related Amenorrhea in Females

Abstract

Background: Amenorrhea in physically active women is a significant health concern, often associated with intensive exercise and dietary patterns. Understanding its prevalence and influencing factors is essential for devising effective health interventions and promoting women's health in sports. Objective: The study aimed to explore the prevalence of amenorrhea among women regularly engaged in sports or gym activities and to identify key factors affecting menstrual health in this demographic. Methods: This cross-sectional survey, spanning six months, included 71 female athletes aged 13-37 from two fitness centers in Lahore. The research employed non-probability convenient sampling. Data collection was achieved using the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST). Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Results: The participants' mean age was 28.35 ± 5.02 years, with an average BMI of 27.90 ± 3.6. Among them, 18.3% had a normal BMI, 52.1% were underweight, and 29.6% were obese. LEAF-Q results indicated that 70% of participants experienced moderate menstrual disturbances, while 20% had slight disturbances without a clinical diagnosis of amenorrhea. The overall prevalence of amenorrhea was 1.41%. Influential factors included BMI, education, awareness, and guidance from fitness professionals. Conclusion: Contrary to initial expectations of a higher prevalence, the study discovered a relatively low occurrence of amenorrhea (1.41%) among active women. This underlines the importance of targeted educational and support interventions in fitness settings to manage menstrual health. Future research should further examine the interplay between exercise, diet, and menstrual health to improve care for female athletes.