Can extreme exercise cause early menopause in women?

Yes, excessive and intense exercise can lead to hormonal imbalances that mimic menopause symptoms, including cessation of menstruation.

What are the risks of hormone deficiency from exercise in China?

In China, as elsewhere, intense exercise can disrupt reproductive functions, leading to amenorrhea and hormone deficiency, which is reversible with lifestyle changes.

How can a woman recover from exercise-induced amenorrhea?

Recovery involves reducing exercise intensity, restoring energy balance, and potentially incorporating gentler activities like yoga, with medical guidance.

Home / Health / Extreme Exercise Halts Woman's Period, Mimics Menopause

Extreme Exercise Halts Woman's Period, Mimics Menopause

11 Jan

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Summary

Intense exercise caused a 23-year-old woman's hormone levels to resemble a 50-year-old's.
Her menstrual cycle ceased completely after months of frequent and lengthy workouts.
Doctors advised halting exercise and prescribed traditional Chinese medicine for recovery.

Extreme Exercise Halts Woman's Period, Mimics Menopause

A young woman in China has garnered significant attention after her intense exercise regimen led to alarming health issues, including hormone levels typical of a woman 27 years her senior and the complete suspension of her menstrual cycle.

The 23-year-old, residing in Zhejiang province, reportedly became "addicted" to working out, exercising six times weekly for approximately 70 minutes per session. Over time, she noticed a drastic reduction in her menstrual flow, which eventually stopped altogether. Medical examinations revealed her female hormone levels were significantly diminished, comparable to those of a 50-year-old, alongside symptoms of kidney deficiency.

Experts suggest that severe energy deficits in the body can temporarily shut down reproductive functions to prioritize survival. While this condition, known as amenorrhea, is reversible with reduced exercise intensity and restored energy balance, experts recommend a temporary cessation of intense training followed by slower, relaxing movements like yoga. Maintaining an adequate body fat percentage, generally above 17%, is crucial for normal menstruation.