The Female Athlete Triad

The Female Athlete Triad: American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Otis CL, Drinkwater B, Johnson M, Loucks A, Wilmore J. Med Sport Sci Exer. 1997;29: i-ix

Bone Mineral Content of Amenorrheic and Eumenorrheic Athletes. Drinkwater BL, Nilson K, Chesnut CH 3rd, Bremner WJ, Shainholtz S, Southworth MB. N Engl J Med. 1984;311:277–281

Bone Mineralization, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and Sex Steroid Therapy in Female Adolescents and Young Adults. Hergenroeder AC. J Pediatr. 1995;126:683–689

Disordered Eating and the Female Athlete Triad. Sanborn CF, Horea M, Siemers BJ, Dieringer KI. Clin Sports Med. 2000;19:199–213

The female athlete triad is a phrase used to describe the constellation of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis that can develop in physically active girls and women. Although recently described in the medical literature as a clinical condition, this is not a new entity. The various components of the triad have been noted for years by athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and health-care personnel, particularly team physicians. This same team of individuals must work together to prevent, identify, and treat this condition, which can have significant morbidity and mortality.

Females participating in athletics are more likely to benefit from their sports participation than to be at risk for harmful effects. Early sports participation sets a precedent for lifelong cardiovascular fitness. In addition, girls who participate in sports are more likely than are nonparticipants to experience academic success and graduate from high school. Sports participation is associated with decreased initiation of high-risk health behaviors, such as using drug, alcohol, or tobacco and …