{"id":10104,"date":"2022-06-02T06:00:47","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T05:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=10104"},"modified":"2022-05-31T10:31:55","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T09:31:55","slug":"the-abnormal-menstrual-cycle-misunderstood-and-mismanaged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2022\/06\/02\/the-abnormal-menstrual-cycle-misunderstood-and-mismanaged\/","title":{"rendered":"The Abnormal Menstrual Cycle: Misunderstood and Mismanaged"},"content":{"rendered":"

Understanding the causes and clinical features of menstrual cycle dysfunctions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Menstrual cycle dysfunctions (MCDs) do not have one uniform definition or diagnostic criteria, and can be deconstructed into several presenting conditions. The most common of these involve alterations to cycle length and volume, presence of pain, and absence of ovulation.\u00a0 The discussion around Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is growing, yet we, as healthcare professionals, continue to the mark both in the sporting and in the general population.<\/p>\n

Types of MCD and their respective prevalence:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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MCDs<\/strong> have many causal factors<\/strong>, the most prevalent of which are behavioural factors resulting in a state of energy deficiency, and subsequent functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (see image).<\/p>\n

This is particularly prevalent in sports in which there is a weight category, such as lightweight rowing[8]<\/a>. However, albeit an important conversation in sport, menstrual health may be a useful indicator of overall health. It may indicate the extent to which individuals are managing the physical and psychological demands of their lifestyles[9]<\/a>. Assessing for RED-S should therefore not be limited to sporting participants, as the laywoman is not exempt from this state of energy deficiency and subsequent hormonal disruption.10 [10]<\/a>11[11]<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Health and Performance Implications of RED-S<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What can we as healthcare professionals do?\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n