Hyperandrogenicity is an alternative mechanism underlying oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in female athletes and may improve physical performance.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate endocrine mechanisms underlying oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in female athletes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Women's health clinical research unit at a university hospital.


METHODS
Age- and BMI-matched groups of athletes active in endurance sports with and without menstrual disturbances and regularly cycling sedentary controls.


METHODS
Groups were compared with respect to endocrine status, body composition, and physical performance.


METHODS
Identification of a subgroup of oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic athletes with increased androgen levels and anabolic body composition.


RESULTS
A subgroup of 8 of 25 athletes with menstrual disturbances had significantly higher serum levels of free and total testosterone, androstenedione, LH-FSH ratio, and lower SHBG levels than did all other groups. Other oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic athletes had normal values comparable to those in regularly menstruating athletes and controls. The hyperandrogenic subgroup showed a more anabolic body composition, with higher total bone mineral density and upper-lower fat mass ratio than did oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic athletes with normal androgen levels. The hyperandrogenic subgroup had the highest VO2 max and the highest performance values in general.


CONCLUSIONS
Menstrual disturbances in female athletes are often explained as a consequence of hypothalamic inhibition and caloric deficiency. We suggest that essential hyperandrogenism is an alternative mechanism underlying oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in some female athletes and may imply an advantage for physical performance.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital and Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. anette.rickenlund@ks.se
Anette
A
Rickenlund
Kjell
K
Carlström
Björn
B
Ekblom
Torkel B
TB
Brismar
Bo
B
von Schoultz
Angelica Lindén
AL
Hirschberg
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014156:Transcortin / Q000378:metabolism
D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D014156:Transcortin