Although osteoporosis is most often associated with the aging process, many young women are also at risk of developing this brittle bone disease well before the normal age for menopause. Competitive female athletes can fall into that category due to intense training and low body weight. Referred to as the Female Athlete Triad, the problem includes poor eating habits, menstrual irregularities, and osteoporosis.
In athletic young women, a combination of intense and frequent exercise, insufficient calorie intake, and low body weight can lead to a loss of menstrual periods and eventually osteoporosis. Approximately 20% of active women are unhealthy to the point they stop having regular menstrual periods. Some of the highest risk athletes include endurance runners, dancers, and gymnasts. Along with infrequent or absent menstrual periods, one of the first signs are stress fractures. When body weight decreases due to a combination of intense exercise and low calorie intake, estrogen production can decrease and menstrual periods may become less regular or stop completely. The estrogen levels become so low that it mimics menopause, leading to loss of calcium from the bones, osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. Absence of menstrual periods is linked with almost a three times higher incidence of stress fractures.
Any young woman who develops irregular or absent menstrual periods should consult her physician. If other causes are ruled out, a healthier diet and training modification may be all that is necessary to reverse the problem. Some studies have shown that athletes can restore proper menstrual function in a matter of a few months by simply increasing calorie intake and slightly altering their training, such as adding one day of rest per week, or altering the total amount of exercise. Although weight-bearing exercise is known to help strengthen bones, exercise alone will not eliminate this problem in female athletes. Consulting with a licensed nutritionist is often helpful when attempting to improve eating habits. Modification of training can be assisted by a physical therapist who has experience working with athletes who have this problem. Athletes who have consulted professionals with regard to these issues have not only become healthier, but have also achieved improved athletic performance.
