Endocrinological profile of oligomenorrheic strenuously exercising adolescents

The endocrinological profile of 20 strenuously exercising oligomenorrheic adolescents divided into 2 groups (groups A and B), was correlated with that of 10 athletes (group C) with normal menstrual cycles and without strenuous exercise. Group A LH serum baseline values were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of group C (P less than 0.001). FSH/LH basic values were 1.9- and 2.9-times higher in group A athletes than those of group B or C (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001, respectively). 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and prolactin serum levels were found lower in group A and B athletes than those of group C (P less than 0.01-0.05). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and delta 4 androstenedione serum levels were found lower in group A athletes than those of group C (P less than 0.001). The low LH and E2 values indicate the anovulatory status of group A and B cases which were also confirmed by ultrasound. It is concluded that no severe endocrinological changes exist in strenuously exercising oligomenorrheic athletes in relation to menarche.