Table 4.
Menstrual cycle characteristics.
|
Characteristic (n = 114, unless otherwise noted) |
Percentage of athletes |
|---|---|
| Age at menarche, y | 11 or younger: 8% 12–14: 61% 15–16: 24% 17+: 4% Never menstruated: 1% Don't remember: 2% |
| Track period with calendar or app | Yes: 59% No: 30% Not menstruating: 10% Never menstruated: 1% |
| Perceived regularity of menstrual cycle (n = 102) | Regular: 48% Irregular: 31% |
| Menstrual Status Category | Primary Amenorrhea: 1% Secondary Amenorrhea: 15% Eumenorrhea: 72% Unsure: 12% |
| Used oral contraceptives or received hormonal treatment/contraceptives in past 12 months could select all that apply |
Yes, oral contraceptives: 14% Yes, hormonal treatment (included medical treatment and/or hormonal intrauterine device-IUD): 6% Yes, hormonal contraceptives: 10% None of these were used during the past 12 months: 73% Yes, hormonal ring: 3% Yes, hormonal coil: 3% Yes, hormonal implant: 4% |
| Reason for oral or hormonal contraceptives/treatment could select all that apply |
Birth control: 23% Reduce menstrual pain: 10% Reduce bleeding: 10.5% Regulate in relation to performance: 10.5% Otherwise menstruation stops: 2% None of the options explain the reason: 3% |
| Experienced changes to cycle with increased training intensity, frequency or duration | Yes: 32.5% No: 36% Unsure: 30% |
| Changes to cycle due to increased training could select all that apply |
I don't bleed at all: 15% I bleed less over the same number of days: 22% I bleed fewer days: 15% I bleed more over the same number of days: 4% I bleed more days: 4% No changes happen to my menstrual cycle when my training increases: 4% I am unsure: 19% |
| Experienced changes to cycle with restricted or reduced food intake | Yes: 22% No: 49% Unsure: 29% |
| Changes to cycle due to restricted or reduced food intake could select all that apply |
I don't bleed at all: 13% I bleed less over the same number of days: 10.5% I bleed fewer days: 11% I bleed more over the same number of days: 1% I bleed more days: 1% No changes happen to my menstrual cycle when I restrict my food intake: 4% I am unsure: 19% |