Female Athlete Triad...

The Female Athlete Triad...

is what I have/had.

I wish... that when I was a young dancer, my dance instructors would have been educated on this very topic. I wish they would have known what to look for. I wish they would have been more concerned that at 17, I still hadn't started my menstrual cycle & that they could have encouraged me to get help- long before I got Osteopenia.

I just read about a young track star, at the peak of her high school athletic career, who died from complications from Anorexia. I read through several articles, where her track coach admits not knowing what to look for- not knowing how serious eating disorders are.

I wish it were mandated that coaches/dance instructors/etc. become educated about eating disorders and about the negative repercussions that they have on the body.

Light needs to be shed on this issue!!

The website www.femaleathletetriad.org/ has A LOT of GREAT information about the female athlete triad! Check it out!! Below is a short summary, taken from the website, describing exactly what the triad is.

xx-Grayce

What is The Triad?

The Female Athlete Triad is a syndrome of three interrelated conditions that exist on a continuum of severity, including:
Energy Deficit/Disordered Eating
Menstrual Disturbances/Amenorrhea
Bone Loss/Osteoporosis

What causes The Triad?Energy Deficit/Disordered EatingAn energy deficit is an imbalance between the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy expended during exercise. The primary cause of the Female Athlete Triad is energy deficiency. Often, this can involve a conscious restriction of food intake, problems with body image and a high drive for thinness. Sometimes, these conditions can lead to disordered eating, or more serious eating problems, like anorexia or bulimia.

Menstrual Disturbances/Amenorrhea

The most serious menstrual problem associated with the Triad is amenorrhea, defined as no menstrual period for 3 months or more. However, athletes who have irregular menstrual cycles are also susceptible to the effects of the Triad.

Bone Loss/OsteoporosisWomen with the Triad are at higher risk for low bone mass leading to weakened bones, called osteoporosis in its severe form. This type of bone loss can cause an increased risk of fractures, including stress fractures.