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Risk of Menstrual Dysfunction, Low Energy Availability, Eating Disorders and Injury in the First All-Female UK
Solène Chaléat1, David Baud1, Helton De Sa Souza2,3
1Materno-Fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Extreme ultra-endurance rowing impacted female athletes' menstrual health, with three experiencing amenorrhea. The study highlights the need for monitoring menstrual function, low energy availability (LEA), and eating disorder (ED) risk in these populations.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Physiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on menstrual health, energy availability, and injury risk in women during extreme ultra-endurance events.
- Female military personnel undertaking expeditions face unique physiological challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize menstrual function, low energy availability (LEA) risk, eating disorder (ED) risk, and injury profiles in an all-female military team during a transatlantic rowing race.
- To assess the impact of extreme ultra-endurance exercise on reproductive hormones and other biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of four female British Army personnel during a 3000-mile transatlantic rowing race.
- Daily recording of menstrual symptoms, injuries, and illnesses.
- Pre- and post-race assessment of reproductive, inflammatory, biochemical, and hematological markers.
- Evaluation of LEA and ED risk using validated questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Three of four athletes experienced amenorrhea during the 46-day expedition.
- One athlete screened positive for LEA risk pre- and post-race, with abnormal bleeding.
- Another athlete screened positive for ED risk.
- Reduced follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), with increased estradiol, observed in all participants.
Conclusions:
- Sustained physiological stress during extreme ultra-endurance expeditions can significantly affect menstrual function in female athletes.
- Prospective monitoring of menstrual health, LEA, and ED risk is crucial for female ultra-endurance athletes, military personnel, and expeditionary populations.
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