Menstrual cycle interruption

[Robert Jan]

so if i get this right women stop menstruating once they get below say 12-13% bf and they can do this for longer periods of time without having any trouble getting back into being fertile later on?

so you could like, be ripped for years on end and not bleed at all and then still get healthy kids?

what effects does it have on hormone balances?

 

[wilson6]

There is no magic %BF were cycles end. Some women still have their period at 8% while others with eating disorders can have problems at 25%. Low body fat usually means reduced estrogen and in sedentary women that usually means loss of bone mineral density. In heavy lifters who are eating plenty of calories, protein and getting adequate calcium, it may not be an issue, but if you choose to stay lean, then it would be prudent to have a DEXA done yearly to make sure you aren't losing bone density.

I have yet to see evidence of infertility in females athletes who don't menstrate for a period of time, then resume normal cycles after their competitive years. Also remember that no cycle doesn't mean no ovulation. You can still get pregnant but not have a cycle.

W6