What does the female athlete triad consist of?

The female athlete triad is a serious condition that arises particularly among physically active women and consists of three interrelated components: abnormal eating patterns, amenorrhea, and decreased bone density.

Abnormal eating patterns can include practices such as disordered eating, restrictive diets, or an insufficient caloric intake which fail to meet the energy demands of an active lifestyle. This can lead to amenorrhea, which is the absence of menstrual periods, a significant physiological response to inadequate energy availability and signifies serious hormonal imbalances. Additionally, decreased bone density stems from the hormonal changes related to amenorrhea and low energy availability, which can lead to conditions like osteopenia or osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures and affecting overall bone health.

Understanding this triad is crucial because it highlights the interconnectedness of diet, menstrual health, and bone health in female athletes, and emphasizes the necessity of addressing each component to maintain well-being and athletic performance. Recognizing these signs can help in early intervention and prevention of further complications.