The female athlete and menstrual function

Abstract

In the past year, there have been remarkable advancements in the understanding of the female athlete's pathology and in recognizing the specific needs of women participating in both recreational and competitive sports. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent developments in the field of female athletes and menstrual function. Although the female athletic triad, consisting of disordered eating, amenorrhea and osteoporosis, has been clinically recognized, there have been few studies quantifying the long-term effects. This review summarizes recently explored topics, including: disordered eating as a main culprit of menstrual irregularities, long-term longitudinal studies following female athletes through to retirement, and current treatment options. Understanding the causes, profiles and the prevention of menstrual irregularities in the female athlete should help decrease its prevalence among women involved in athletics. The literature reviewed in this article stresses the importance of early detection, as well as the consequences of eating disorders, menstrual disturbances and bone loss left untreated.