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Menstrual dysfunction in Nigerian athletes
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Female athletes experience more menstrual irregularities like irregular cycles and amenorrhoea (O/A) than non-athletes. This dysfunction is linked to low body fat, weight, and sports-related stress.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Menstrual dysfunction is a concern in female athletes.
- Athletic training can impact hormonal balance and reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare menstrual function between Nigerian athletes and non-athletes.
- To identify factors associated with menstrual dysfunction in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 475 Nigerian athletes and 606 non-athletes.
- Assessment of menstrual cycle regularity, oligomenorrhoea, and secondary amenorrhoea (O/A).
- Analysis of associations between menstrual dysfunction and body composition, weight, and training factors.
Main Results:
- Athletes showed higher rates of irregular cycles (26%) and O/A (21%) compared to non-athletes (18% and 8%).
- Normal menstruation was less frequent in athletes (22%) than non-athletes (50%).
- Menstrual dysfunction correlated with low body fat, low body weight, and sports stress; distance runners and ball game players had higher O/A rates, while swimmers and sprinters reported more dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia.
Conclusions:
- Athletic participation, particularly in certain sports and pre-menarche training, is associated with increased menstrual dysfunction.
- Low body fat, low body weight, and psychological stress are significant contributing factors to menstrual irregularities in athletes.