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Related Experiment Videos

The effect of stress on menstrual function.

Anne B Loucks1, Leanne M Redman

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979, USA. loucks@ohio.edu

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|November 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Stress disrupts menstrual function by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, recent findings suggest stress is low energy availability, proposing dietary reform for menstrual disorders.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Stressors disrupt menstrual function via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation.
  • This HPA axis activation is part of a catabolic response, mobilizing fuels for energy demands.
  • Functional menstrual disorders correlate with elevated cortisol and energy deficiency symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between stress, energy availability, and menstrual function.
  • To explore the hypothesis that stress-induced menstrual dysfunction is primarily due to energy deficit.
  • To evaluate the impact of exercise and other stressors on reproductive function relative to their energy cost.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing experimental data on stress, HPA axis, and menstrual function.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of the energy cost associated with various stressors, including exercise.
  • Correlation of cortisol levels and energy deficiency symptoms with functional menstrual disorders.

    • Main Results:

    • Stressors activate the HPA axis, leading to metabolic fuel mobilization.
    • Functional menstrual disorders are linked to increased cortisol and signs of energy deficiency.
    • Stressors may not disrupt reproductive function beyond their impact on energy availability.

    Conclusions:

    • Functional menstrual disorders may be primarily caused by low energy availability, not stress itself.
    • Dietary reform is suggested as a primary treatment approach for these disorders.
    • Further experiments are needed to rigorously test the hypothesis that stress equals low energy availability.