Reproductive system function in women cross-country runners

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Abstract
The incidence and etiology of altered menstrual cycle function in women engaged in endurance athletic activities were investigated by studying endocrine, anthropometric and training parameters in 41 cross-country runners. The prevalence of altered menstrual cycle patterns was significantly higher in the subjects than in college-aged women; 49% reported normal cycles and 51% were either oligomenorrheic (46%) or amenorrheic (5%). No significant differences between those reporting normal menstrual cycling (N) and those reporting oligo/amenorrhea (O/A) were found in the following areas: number of miles run/wk, number of yr of training, age when training began, sum of skinfold thicknesses, somatotype, or post-exercise levels of growth hormone, prolactin or hematocrit. However, a difference (P < 0.05) was found in the mean age of menarche (N = 12.9 .+-. 0.3 yr; O/A = 14.3 .+-. 0.5 yr). In addition, more O/A (68%) than N (42%) began training in the year of or prior to menarche. Evaluation of 7 runners from one school who qualified for the national meet (1 amenorrheic, 5 oligomenorrheic and 1 normal) revealed that the basal estrogens, progesterone, prolactin and thyroid hormone levels were normal and that there were normal luteinizing hormone and FSH responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). These data are consistent with an alteration of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function above the level of the pituitary.