Do you or a loved one have the Female Athlete Triad?

How often does a doctor say 'you need to gain weight?' We're all used to medical professionals focusing on weight loss and other ways to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. What's often overlooked is that a surprising number of otherwise healthy people actually suffer from being underweight, sometimes with devastating consequences.

One group of such people is those with the Female Athlete Triad, with a combination of three elements: 1) Too few calories available—this can be due to not eating enough, exercising too much, or both; 2) Menstrual irregularities—periods can be irregular or absent; 3) Bone loss—this develops into osteopenia and snowballs into osteoporosis.

Why does it matter? Amenorrhea is a key part of infertility. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones at any age. Depression, anxiety, and mood disturbances are often related to hormonal imbalances caused by too much exercise or insufficient nutrition. Electrolyte imbalances and anemia can lead to fatigue, cramping, and fainting.

Ongoing stress shuts down the GnRH signal from the hypothalamus, which will stop the production of the hormones FSH and LH. Without FSH and LH, estrogen and progesterone levels will plummet. Estrogen is necessary for bone formation and preservation, so inadequate estrogen guarantees bone loss.

If you (or someone you know) identify with any element of the triad, go see your primary care doctor as soon as possible. Having a Quant Coach and Quant-friendly Doctor on your team can give you the support and guidance you need to stay on your route to recovery and health.

If you need a doctor who understands these issues, and has a team ready to help, just give us a call here at My Doctor Medical Group.