There is an eating disorder that affects female athletes. It also affects how strong the bones are and the menstrual periods of the woman athlete. If the woman athlete has fallen prey to an eating disorder they no longer eat in a normal way. The woman athlete triad disorder may develop osteoporosis which weakens the bones in time or the menstrual periods may become unpredictable or end altogether. Eating disorders will over time cause problems with the organs of the body because of a lack of proper nutrition.

The female athlete triad has a danger of being pushed too far by family or a coach. The sports activity can consume the female athlete triad in becoming weight obsessively, losing social interaction because of time restraints, becoming over competitive, or having to exercise in excess.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms can be fatigue, an eating disorder by binging or bulimia, exercising way too much, fractures due to stress, and weight loss from restrictive dieting.

The younger female athlete triad can suffer from improper growth and danger of injuries due to poor eating habits with not enough nutrients. Also, with no menstrual periods the bone structure will be compromised over time.

When there is concern over symptoms, seeking the advice of your healthcare professional is important. Your physician will interview pertinent behaviors like eating patterns, exercise regimes, and menstrual cycles. A physical examination will be part of the diagnosis process. The physician will ask about any laxatives, diet pills, or birth control methods that are being used.

Treatment of Female Athlete Triad

Once the diagnosis is completed, the physician will discuss eating plans and exercise programs that will be healthier. A referral to a nutritionist may be in order or a visit with a professional for a consultation. Nutrients and vitamins are important to good health and these will be discussed as well. To stop any further loss of bone mass, the physician may suggest medications containing progesterone and estrogen provided a change in diet has not brought the menstrual cycle back to normal.

If you feel you are in danger of developing a female athlete triad, there are a few ways to prevent its onset. First and maybe most important is a change in your eating habits. An eating plan that includes plenty of nutrients and vitamins will help. Athletes tend to overdue workouts and practice times, so cutting back exercise to a more reasonable amount will also help. Poor eating habits can interfere with normal menstrual cycles so education about making better or healthier choices will make a difference.