Can strength training disrupt the menstrual cycle?

Author: Timko Ilya - master of the whole project and fitness trainer.
2012-02-28

Theoretically, they can. But it is important to understand that disruptions in the menstrual cycle in women are caused not by the physical exertion itself, but by prolonged stress situations for the body. Now, let's discuss everything in order.

Some girls, when they start working out in the gym, notice that their OMC (ovulatory-menstrual cycle) undergoes strange metamorphoses. Sometimes their periods disappear, come late, become heavier, or lighter. Many start to panic and attribute everything to intense workouts. They think, "Everything was fine before, but as soon as I went to the gym – look what happened!" Their logic is understandable and quite normal. However, our bodies (both male and female) are designed for physical activity. The loads that many girls experience when they first enter the gym are far from being at their limits. So, what is the issue? Let's try to figure it out.

Disruptions in the OMC (I will not discuss workouts for now) can be either severe and dangerous (up to complete cessation of menstruation) or temporary and harmless (for example, a delay for one or two cycles).

Causes of Cycle Disruption

Many girls experience the second option, which, I reiterate, typically resolves itself quickly. Usually, such symptoms occur in women who have never exercised before. They come to their first training session, their pelvic muscles (both superficial and deep) experience an unfamiliar load, and this SOMETIMES can lead to a temporary disruption of the cycle. Within a maximum of two months, everything returns to normal. In principle, this is quite acceptable and does not warrant special discussion.

However, sometimes girls may experience ongoing and more severe menstrual cycle disturbances (the first option). Can it really be due to excessive weights loaded onto their fragile bodies by heartless trainers?

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, such disruptions in the body's functioning can be caused by prolonged stress situations. Physical exertion can indeed provoke them, but it does not play the primary role.

For instance, heavy workouts (along with other factors) can lead to overtraining and chronic fatigue. Chronic overtraining can serve as a cause of cycle disruption. The issue here may not be solely about physical exertion; it could be heavy work combined with a lack of sleep and nutrition. When, against this backdrop, a girl also starts training in the gym, the body's resources become depleted. Clearly, in such a situation, it is unnecessary to blame the workouts.

Another reason for OMC disruption is a decrease in body fat percentage in women. Many girls eat a somewhat strict diet alongside relatively intense training. As soon as the body fat percentage falls below normal, problems with the cycle may arise. Typically, a body fat percentage of 17%-20% of total body weight is considered normal for women. Issues can begin at 10%-12%. Typically, abs (which many women strive for) become visible at the same 10%-12% body fat levels. Ladies, take note.

Another reason is the use of anabolic steroids. Increased doses of testosterone suppress estrogen function, disrupting the hormonal balance in a woman's body. However, this mainly applies to professional athletes, who are already aware of these risks, so I won't preach to them.

Conclusions:

Physical activity in general and workouts in the gym, in particular, cannot be the main cause of menstrual cycle disruption in women. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the reason for menstrual irregularities lies in chronic fatigue or a decrease in body fat below normal. Often, it is a combination of both these factors. In pursuit of financial independence and the trend for a beautiful six-pack, many women push their bodies to the limits of their capabilities.

Therefore, if you have just started going to the gym and notice slight disruptions in your cycle, wait a little while; everything should return to normal within a month or two. In the rare cases where this does not happen and you are getting enough rest and proper nutrition, consult a doctor. I hope this article has been helpful to you. Good luck!