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Female Athlete Triad, Sports Medicine

Diana Filtz, MD and Kelsey Logan, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACP Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A condition of female athletes that refers to low energy availability, with or without disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD) 1. This condition ...

DIAGNOSIS

High index of suspicion required 

HISTORY

  • Screening questions on menstruation, attitudes about weight, diet, and history of bony injury are recommended and are easily available. The Female Ath...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Main goal of treatment is to modify diet and exercise behaviors to increase energy availability, subsequent resumption of menses, and improvement of bone metabolism, bone mas...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Frequent follow-up to gauge compliance with treatment plan

  • Monitor weight; address nutritional concerns and goals at each visit.

  • Consistent education regarding ener...

REFERENCES

1
De Souza MJ, Nattiv A, Joy E, et al. 2014 Female athlete triad coalition consensus statement on treatment and return to play of the female athlete triad: 1st international conference held ...

SEE ALSO

Eating Disorders; Menstrual Disorders in the Athlete 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Female athlete triad represents a spectrum of low energy availability, with or without disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and low BMD 1.

  • When one aspect of the triad is found, th...

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