The absence of periods (amenorrhea) due to a lack of energy intake (low energy availability, affecting up to 55% of recreational female athletes) impairs bone strength, circulation, and performance. It is therefore essential to monitor your menstrual cycle to avoid this invisible undernutrition.

noli's read

The link between a lack of energy, the absence of periods, and its repercussions (bone fragility, decline in fitness) is validated by the 2023 expert consensus from the International Olympic Committee. This document confirms that insufficient nutritional intake relative to exertion disrupts hormonal balance, which is key to bone and cardiovascular vitality. The figure of 55% of recreational female athletes affected is plausible: observational studies (such as the one by Slater in 2018) estimate this risk at approximately 45-50%. On the other hand, asserting that all long-term impacts are reversible is an exaggeration. A 2025 research review published in Frontiers shows that while hormonal balance may be restored, the loss of bone strength sustained during a critical period can be irreversible. Monitoring one's cycle nevertheless remains an excellent wellness tool for adjusting one's diet.

the sources

1. 1American Academy of Pediatrics & American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Committee on Adolescent Health Care) 2006
2. 2Owens LA, Kristensen SG, Lerner A, et al. 2024