The purpose of this review is to focus the exercise as a modulator of human reproduction and to summarize and integrate current data concerning the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in exercising women. The prevalence of menstrual dysfunctions, as the luteal phase deficiency, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea and menarcheal delay are greater among athletes than in the general population. Many factors undergo changes during the course of an athletic training program and any or all of these may contribute to disturbances in menstrual cyclicity. A number of risk factors have been identified as predisposing women to the development of menstrual irregularities, such as low body weight, body fat and hypoestrogenic status. Hypoestrogenism may affect peak bone mass in the puberty and lead to irreversible premature bone loss. This paper reviews the physiologic effects of fitness training on various endocrine systems and provides clinical information about specific endocrine disturbances in athlete women.
Fitness training; Amenorrhea; Osteoporosis; Eating disorders; Endocrine disturbances
