Episode
Amenorrhea, Energy Deficiency & the Female Athlete
- Published
- Mar 25, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3185
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc11cd05
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Summary
We dive into the often-overlooked topic of amenorrhea: the absence of menstruation. Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack the science with a focus on Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) linked to energy deficiency in athletes. They explore how intense training and and sport pressures around leanness or weight can disrupt regular hormonal signals, affecting long-term bone density, cardiovascular health, and performance. They also discuss the original concept of the Female Athlete Triad (low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density) and its evolution into RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), a more holistic model encompassing many aspects of health and wellbeing. The conversation expands into evolutionary perspectives, comparing Western menstrual experiences—from menarche to menopause—with those of hunter-gatherer populations like the Hadza, and questioning what “normal” really means. Ultimately, this episode reframes intense athletics as a nuanced practice that must be supported by adequate nutrition and recovery. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:00 – Intro & Sponsors 02:45 – What Is Amenorrhea? 05:40 – Primary vs Secondary Amenorrhea 09:00 – Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA): Energy deficiency and hormonal suppression 11:10 – Female Athlete Triad → RED-S: Evolution of understanding in sports science 21:30 – The Hadza perspective: menarche to menopause 25:25 – Negative consequences of amenorrhea: Bone Health 29:15 – IUD induced amenorrhea 37:00 – Historical and modern timelines for menarche compared to the Hadza 50:45 – Closing thoughts on ancient humans Links & Research Mentioned: Substack article that prompted this episode Dr Jen Gunter’s article on the hormonal IUD and b…