[Menstrual characteristics in college athletes].
This study investigated the influences of endurance physical exercise on menstrual characteristics in college athletes. 311 college students at the University of Tsukuba (174: college athletes, 137: non-athletes, control students (group C) ) completed questionnaires which inquired about their menstrual history. College athletes were divided into two groups with hard physical activity (group A) and moderate physical activity (group B). The physical profile showed that group A and B had a lower total body water/body weight ratio than group C. The incidences of prolonged menstruation and hypomenorrhea of athletes were higher than those of non-athletes. There was no significant difference in the incidence of dysmenorrhea. However, the incidence of cases which required the medication to treat dysmenorrhea was lower in athletes than in non-athletes. Regarding the menstrual cycle, there was no significant difference in the incidence of oligomenorrhea and polymenorrhea in the three groups. On the other hand, the incidence of irregular menstrual cycles in group A was significantly higher than in group C. Athletes replied that the period of good physical condition during the menstrual cycles occurred in the late follicular and ovulatory phase. On the other hand, the period of bad condition was in the late luteal phase and during the menstrual period. Only 21.4% of athletes desire to regulate the menstrual cycle according to their sports schedule. The specialized physician should be more concerned either about managing the athletes who are suffering from menstrual dysfunction or about establishing a way to control the menstrual cycle.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance; D013177:Sports