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Discuss in detail about Female Athletes Triad.

Female athlete triad is a syndrome in which anaemia, Oesteoporosis and amenorrhoea are present. It is simply known as ‘triad’. The triad is a serious disorder or illness with lifelong health consequences and can be very fatal. The symptoms of triad may include fatigue, frequent injuries, loss of endurance and power irritability, increased healing time form injuries, cessation of menstruation and low self-esteem etc.

1. Anaemia

Anaemia is usually defined as a decrease in the amount of red cells in the blood. It is identified as the most common medical condition among athletes. They may get feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of endurance, and weakness. A number of research studies show that athlete especially female athletes are often iron deficient or anaemic. Iron is essential for better performance, because its major function is to carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from all the cells of the body. Athletic anaemia may be caused by inadequate iron intake, less iron absorption, loss of iron through sweat (especially during long distance races), destruction of red blood cells, gastrointestinal blood loss and menstruation etc.

In fact, regular menstrual losses increase the iron needs of female athletes. By limiting or eliminating meat, eliminates some of the best available source of iron. In fact, iron from fruits, vegetables and cereals sources is not absorbed well as that from animal sources. Female athletes specially the long distance runners may loose iron through intestinal bleeding, sweat, urine and faeces.

2. Oesteoporosis

Oesteoporosis refers to the decreased bone material contents. It is a skeletal disorder. A reduction in bone mass may cause fracture. In fact, low oestrogen levels and poor nutrition specially low calcium intake can lead to Oesteoporosis which is one of the significant triad of female athlete.

There are various factors which usually lead to Oesteoporosis among women athletes:

1. Insufficient calcium in diet: The main cause of Oesteoporosis is intake of insufficient amount of calcium in diet. In fact, 100mg calcium should be taken in daily by a woman athlete.
2. Amenorrhoea: Women suffering from menstrual dysfunction or amenorrhoea for more than six months are likely to face Oesteoporosis because the secretion of the hormone called ‘oestrogen’ is decreased in those women. This hormone is necessary for absorption of calcium in our body.
3. Eating disorders: Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia etc. may also cause Oesteoporosis because there can be less amount of calcium intake. In fact, not getting sufficient amount of calcium can also have a lasting effect on how strong a woman’s bones are in later part of life.
4. Bad eating habits: Various research studies indicate that intake of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or smoking etc. may also lead to Oesteoporosis. Indeed these products have negative effect on the bone density.

3. Amenorrhoea

Amenorrhoea is a menstrual disorder in females in which females of 18 years and above either never began menstruating or there is an absence of menstruation for three months or more than that in females with a history of normal menstrual cycle. Amenorrhoea can also be defined as the cessation of woman’s menstrual cycle more than three months or more.

Types of Amenorrhoea

There are two types of amenorrhoea:

1. Primary Amenorrhoea: Primary amenorrhoea is characterized by delayed menarche which is the onset of first period during puberty.
2. Secondary Amenorrhoea: A women having her natural menstrual cycle at specific time and then stops menstruating for three months or more is said to have secondary amenorrhoea.

There are various factors which may enhance the chances of amenorrhoea. These factors are Hormonal changes, intensive exercises and intake of less calories.