Question

What is the pathophysiology behind amenorrhea seen in athletes, particularly pertaining to low body fat composition?

Answer 1

Ans:-

Concept:- Main causes are dearengement of delicate hormonal balance due to over training or excercise.

Fat in female body is also responsible for synthesis of some amount of estrogen. And fat cell also store some estrogen . As athletes have very low fat content in body. It also effect estrogen level in body.

Exercise-associated amenorrhea (EAA) is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea in athletes.[15] EAA is believed to be the result of a disorder in the hypothalamus and results in a hypo-estrogen state.Specifically, there is a decrease in the pulse frequency of gonadotrophic-releasing hormone.This results in a decrease in the frequency of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary. In time, low estrogen levels can result in diminished bone mineral density and osteoporosis.