M L Hammar1, M B Hammar-Henriksson, J Frisk, A Rickenlund, Y A Wyon. 1. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, Link]oping University, Link]oping, Sweden. matha@gyn.liu.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether women with athletic oligo-amenorrhea have vasomotor symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mailed questionnaire was sent to 252 female athletes about vasomotor symptoms. Identical questions were also mailed to 1523 peri- and postmenopausal women. RESULTS: The prevalence of vasomotor symptoms was low in female athletes with oligo- and amenorrhea and similar to that found in athletes with regular menstruations. The prevalence was significantly lower than in menopausal women. Although more than a third of the menopausal women had hormone replacement therapy, 30% of them still had vasomotor symptoms at least every week compared with only 2% of the oligo-amenorrheic athletes. CONCLUSION: Vasomotor symptoms are very uncommon in oligo-amenorrheic athletes, although many of them are hypoestrogenic. It was suggested that one factor contributing to these symptoms around menopause is low hypothalamic activity of beta-endorphins, which makes the thermoregulatory centre labile. On the other hand, supraphysiological activity in hypothalamic beta-endorphins may cause the oligo-amenorrhea in athletes, but may stabilise the thermoregulatory centre and thus prevent hot flushes.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether women with athletic oligo-amenorrhea have vasomotor symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mailed questionnaire was sent to 252 female athletes about vasomotor symptoms. Identical questions were also mailed to 1523 peri- and postmenopausal women. RESULTS: The prevalence of vasomotor symptoms was low in female athletes with oligo- and amenorrhea and similar to that found in athletes with regular menstruations. The prevalence was significantly lower than in menopausal women. Although more than a third of the menopausal women had hormone replacement therapy, 30% of them still had vasomotor symptoms at least every week compared with only 2% of the oligo-amenorrheic athletes. CONCLUSION: Vasomotor symptoms are very uncommon in oligo-amenorrheic athletes, although many of them are hypoestrogenic. It was suggested that one factor contributing to these symptoms around menopause is low hypothalamic activity of beta-endorphins, which makes the thermoregulatory centre labile. On the other hand, supraphysiological activity in hypothalamic beta-endorphins may cause the oligo-amenorrhea in athletes, but may stabilise the thermoregulatory centre and thus prevent hot flushes.