My college coach told me that most elite women lose their periods when they train hard in college, and that's how we know we are training like a DI program. But everything I read online and have learned in school has said this is very risky. I know many of my teammates have lost their periods as well and I'm pretty sure he is telling them the same thing. I mean, we are running well right now so I guess it's working, but should I still say something? Have any of you experienced this with your college coach telling you its a good thing? How did you handle this?
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These girls are in danger. They may be running well now, but eventually low energy availability will get them. Osteopenia will follow and their bones will be crumbling like a Nature Valley granola bar. Educate yourself (follow the instagram account fed_collaborative) and advocate for yourself and your teammates. Your long term health is important.
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My wife said that 90% of her college team lost their periods. My wife never exceeded 45 MPW nor was she ever thin. The brain and body don't want to get pregnant when training.
LRC note. This post was initially deleted. Mods, if you believe what the poster is saying is inaccurate, please respond to it and post why it's false other than just deleting it. When debate is stifled, it leads to doubts and conspiracy theories.
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PNW Runner Gurl wrote:
My college coach told me that most elite women lose their periods when they train hard in college, and that's how we know we are training like a DI program. But everything I read online and have learned in school has said this is very risky. I know many of my teammates have lost their periods as well and I'm pretty sure he is telling them the same thing. I mean, we are running well right now so I guess it's working, but should I still say something? Have any of you experienced this with your college coach telling you its a good thing? How did you handle this?
Holy yikes. Unless your coach is a nutritionist or studies this subject I would say they are out of their depth and you should consider leaving.
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Is your coach a man or a woman?
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PNW Runner Gurl wrote:
My college coach told me that most elite women lose their periods when they train hard in college, and that's how we know we are training like a DI program. But everything I read online and have learned in school has said this is very risky. I know many of my teammates have lost their periods as well and I'm pretty sure he is telling them the same thing. I mean, we are running well right now so I guess it's working, but should I still say something? Have any of you experienced this with your college coach telling you its a good thing? How did you handle this?
Your coach is wrong. I would seriously consider transferring. That is a toxic environment.
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My wife's coach was a woman. She is a respected coach. I can tell that you guys only know what the slow overweight male tell you. I guarantee that the majority of women at NC Stste and BYU do not have regular periods.
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run more now wrote:
My wife's coach was a woman. She is a respected coach. I can tell that you guys only know what the slow overweight male tell you. I guarantee that the majority of women at NC Stste and BYU do not have regular periods.
Nevertheless I think it would be wrong and worse for a male to tell a young woman that amenorrhea is normal.
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The questions that you should be asking yourself if you have lost your cycle:
Are these college PRs worth the potential inability to have children later?
Am I alright with needing a walker to get around when I am 70?
Will this experience offset the chronic back, hip, and posture issues that will plague me after age 40?
As others have stated, losing your period is not a healthy occurrence and it often leads to a lot of health issues down the road.
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As someone who has just finished studying, staying healthy is a top priority for me. I've been using Vitamin B12 Liquid Drops to support my overall health. It's important to take care of ourselves, especially during times of change and transition.
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Women taking birth control pills can also lose their periods.
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Correct. I guess every woman should stop today. They should also stop running. The majority of Americans are obese but these discussions always go in the opposite direction.
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Why are you all going to your coach with this info instead of the school medical staff?? After you talk to a DOCTOR, you talk to the athletic director. Your coach is basically asking to be fired over his lack of concern for his athletes' health.
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NotKevinMcHale wrote:
Women taking birth control pills can also lose their periods.
Do they lose them or does it regulate them? (21 days on a hormonal pill with 7 days off)
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Probably a Troll But... wrote:
Why are you all going to your coach with this info instead of the school medical staff?? After you talk to a DOCTOR, you talk to the athletic director. Your coach is basically asking to be fired over his lack of concern for his athletes' health.
I'm thinking the OP is just a bad troll.
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Hey, here is a story about my wife losing her period in college. Very fit runner and fast. 3/4 of the women also weren’t getting periods so no big deal right?
well turns out it wasn’t from running. It was a BABY!!!!
So we are married now, the kid is all grown up and thing worked out great. TALK TO A DR
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Troll Spotter wrote:
Probably a Troll But... wrote:
Why are you all going to your coach with this info instead of the school medical staff?? After you talk to a DOCTOR, you talk to the athletic director. Your coach is basically asking to be fired over his lack of concern for his athletes' health.
I'm thinking the OP is just a bad troll.
Or a dude
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There are more options these days. But not being a medical expert I can't offer any more info than that.
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Whenever this issue pops up, my knee jerk thoughts go to the elite adult (not Mary Cain while with Salazar) athletes who make the serious professional decision to temporarily sacrifice their health under the guidance of experienced coaches and doctors. (But elite runners are having children so not all of them are losing their periods.)
The danger is that less talented and young runners are being pressured into believing that losing their periods is expected. High school and college students should not sacrifice their health including periods to please coaches, try to get and keep scholarships, or help the team. They need to be protected. Older adult recreational runners should recognize that losing periods because of running is a sign that something has gone wrong in their training and that fitness boundaries have been crossed.
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