female bodycomposition

[rainbow22]

i would like to ask the ladies about what they personally feel is the ideal bodyfat % for themselves and for females in general? also at what point does low bodyfat affect menses? thanks, rainbow

 

[FitFossil]

I think it's different for every female. Some can carry a higher bodyfat better than others. Of course body fat measurements are so varied and often unreliable, it's hard to arrive at any one number that's "right". For general health, the upper limit for women is usually quoted as being in the low 20's. Athletes are usually in the lower teens. For competition, bodybuilders and fitness competitors go into the single digits, but don't stay that way year round.

As for bodyfat affecting menses, that's different for different women as well. I think cessation of menses is related more to stresses on the body (overexercise, undernourishment, etc.) than actual bodyfat percentage. A lot of people say periods stop below 12%, but that's not true for everyone.

 

[MS]

How do you know if your bone density is being affected by loss of menses???? Does this show upa as a loss of LBM???!!!

I don't put any faith in %bf measurements as an indicator of good health or a nice looking body. In other words, as long as a women is healthy, and happy with her body shape, she shouldn't worry about %bf.

I have been below 8%bf and never lost my period. Other women can stop menstruating below 14%. There are a lot of factors that influence menses including dietary, stress and genetics. Even very obese women can become amenorrheic due to these factors.

 

[rainbow22]

bodyfat%

thank you for the thoughtful answers