A Crucial Period

Continued...

In an evaluation, your physician will order blood tests to exclude abnormalities of the thyroid and pituitary gland as well as ovarian problems that may also cause amenorrhea.

Although amenorrheic women do not menstruate, EAA is an extremely unreliable form of birth control. You cannot accurately predict when the next egg will be released into the fallopian tubes and thus you can get pregnant without having a period. Any sexually active woman who develops amenorrhea should be screened for pregnancy and should continue to faithfully use a conventional method of birth control.

ON THE DOT

What can amenorrheic women do to minimize the potentially harmful consequences of this condition? The first step is to assure adequate intake of calcium, which helps preserve bone mass.

Women with EAA have higher calcium needs - 1,500 milligrams versus 1,000 mg daily for women with normal menstruation. Increasing calcium alone will not preserve bone mass but will meet the higher needs of amenorrheic women.

When amenorrhea occurs, seek medical care within the first three months. Amenorrhea is abnormal and dangerous - current recommendations are for athletes to try to resume menstruation by decreasing training by 5 to 15 per-cent and increasing calorie intake by 5 to 20 percent in order to gain 2 to 10 pounds. It's important to consider whether emotional stress may also be playing a role in amenorrhea.

Every woman has her own threshold above which menstruation may resume. If menses do not resume in six to 12 months, hormone replacement should be considered in consultation with your physician. Several different forms of hormone replacement, including oral contraceptives, can be safely given to active women without causing Weight gain, acne or declines in performance.

If you have amenorrhea, don't ignore it. Seek medical care early correct any dietary deficiencies and work closely with your doctor for evaluation and treatment of this potentially serious condition.

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About the authors: Carol L. Otis, M.D., is Chief Medical Advisor to the Sanex WTA and a UCLA student health physician. Roger Goldingay is a former professional soccer player. They are married and the co-authors of The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide.

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine

General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention