Ever since I graduated from college and started working, I’ve been sitting behind a desk. At twenty-five years old, I felt myself getting out of shape. I started jogging a year ago and now I run five miles on weekdays and eight or nine miles on weekends. At first, my periods were lighter, and I liked that, but for the past two months they have disappeared completely. I also seem to have a vaginal discharge which comes and goes, and I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on. Jogging is supposed to make me healthy but it seems to be making me sick.
—S.C.
Washington, D.C.
Some exercise can enhance the menstrual cycle by alleviating stress and cramps and reducing the flow. However, excessive physical activity, such as jogging, cycling, strenuous dance, can result in complete amenorrhea. Women athletes and professional ballet dancers are known to consider amenorrhea an occupational hazard. Periods probably stop because the constant exercise results in weight loss and a change in hormonal balance, which blocks the release of the brain hormones LH and FSH. Women who are physically active need high blood counts to carry added oxygen to their muscles, and a woman who is not menstruating usually has a blood count that is higher than average. So, nature is adjusting to bodily need. Female athletes find the change especially good for them since there is no menstrual fatigue when they are training and competing.
Ms. C. has no reason to worry. Menstrual absence is common to athletes, and the return of menstruation is practically a sure thing once physical activity is slowed down or stopped. She is not ovulating right now, so there is no buildup of her uterine lining, and that does not mean she is sick. It is perfectly normal for a woman doing as much strenuous exercise as she is to stop having ovulations.
Her vaginal discharge, however, may be due to a hormonal change inside her vagina. Since she is not ovulating, her estrogen level is lower, and a diminished estrogen level can dry the vagina and make it more susceptible to infection. And if she is wearing nylon jogging shorts, she is providing a hot, damp, airless climate in which germs can breed with ease.
This woman might attempt to restore a healthy vaginal environment by wearing cotton underpants and cotton shorts. If a change of attire does not alleviate her condition, she should consult a physician for treatment of her vaginitis.
*47\333\2*
DEALING WITH UNPREDICTABLE PERIODS: COULD JOGGING AFFECT MY MENSTRUAL PERIOD?Ever since I graduated from college and started working, I’ve been sitting behind a desk. At twenty-five years old, I felt myself getting out of shape. I started jogging a year ago and now I run five miles on weekdays and eight or nine miles on weekends. At first, my periods were lighter, and I liked that, but for the past two months they have disappeared completely. I also seem to have a vaginal discharge which comes and goes, and I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on. Jogging is supposed to make me healthy but it seems to be making me sick.—S.C.Washington, D.C.Some exercise can enhance the menstrual cycle by alleviating stress and cramps and reducing the flow. However, excessive physical activity, such as jogging, cycling, strenuous dance, can result in complete amenorrhea. Women athletes and professional ballet dancers are known to consider amenorrhea an occupational hazard. Periods probably stop because the constant exercise results in weight loss and a change in hormonal balance, which blocks the release of the brain hormones LH and FSH. Women who are physically active need high blood counts to carry added oxygen to their muscles, and a woman who is not menstruating usually has a blood count that is higher than average. So, nature is adjusting to bodily need. Female athletes find the change especially good for them since there is no menstrual fatigue when they are training and competing.Ms. C. has no reason to worry. Menstrual absence is common to athletes, and the return of menstruation is practically a sure thing once physical activity is slowed down or stopped. She is not ovulating right now, so there is no buildup of her uterine lining, and that does not mean she is sick. It is perfectly normal for a woman doing as much strenuous exercise as she is to stop having ovulations.Her vaginal discharge, however, may be due to a hormonal change inside her vagina. Since she is not ovulating, her estrogen level is lower, and a diminished estrogen level can dry the vagina and make it more susceptible to infection. And if she is wearing nylon jogging shorts, she is providing a hot, damp, airless climate in which germs can breed with ease.This woman might attempt to restore a healthy vaginal environment by wearing cotton underpants and cotton shorts. If a change of attire does not alleviate her condition, she should consult a physician for treatment of her vaginitis.*47\333\2*
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