Amenorrhea in female atheletes is associated with less than optimal bone health. Researchers using new assessment technology have shown that amenorrheic endurance athletes have impaired bone microarchitecture compared to normal menorrheic athletes and nonatheletic controls. Also of great concern is the fact that most high-school track athletes incorrectly answered questions about bone loss and its connection to menstrual abnormalities.
PositiveTip: Parents of adolescent young women endurance athletes: make sure they are aware of the bone risks due irregular menstration (Click here for an excellent resource from Children’s Hospital of Boston).