Management of the female athlete triad

Abstract

The female athlete triad (FAT) is defined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as low energy availability (low EA), functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea and osteoporosis. In low EA, lutein dysfunction first develops, followed by anovulation and, subsequently, oligomenorrhea, leading to amenorrhea. Moreover, low estradiol concentrations due to amenorrhea decrease bone mineral density (BMD). In athletes with one of the factors of FAT, the risk of a stress fracture is 2.4-4.9 times higher and may increase the risk of fracture throughout the lifespan. Low EA is the starting point of FAT, and the FAT concept emphasizes the importance of energy intake that is commensurate with exercise energy expenditure in athletes. In amenorrheic athletes who undergo gynecological examination, it is important to appropriately evaluate whether the cause is low EA and to review exercise energy expenditure and energy intake. It remains difficult even for experts to calculate available energy using the ACSM definition formula when evaluating energy deficiency. Moreover, performing early FAT screening during teenage years and cooperation between the department of obstetrics and gynecology and sports dietitians are also issues. The aim of this paper is to review the management of FAT from the viewpoint of gynecologists.

Keywords: amenorrhoea; female athlete triad; low energy availability; osteoporosis; stress fractures.