A new Penn State University study reveals that active women with menstrual irregularities can resume regular cycles simply by boosting their daily calorie intake by 300-400 calories. This straightforward approach addresses low energy availability often seen in female athletes.
"These findings are relevant for all exercising women, whether training competitively or for health benefits, who may not be fueling adequately to support their activity levels," says lead researcher Mary Jane De Souza, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology and physiology at Penn State.
Adequate nutrition helps prevent the Female Athlete Triad—a syndrome starting with insufficient caloric intake relative to exercise demands, progressing to menstrual disruptions and compromised bone health, including a heightened risk of stress fractures, De Souza explains.
The 12-month study involved 62 young exercising women with irregular periods. Of these, 32 increased their intake by an average of 300-400 calories daily, while 30 continued their usual habits. Those adding calories were twice as likely to resume menstruation.
"This nutrition-focused intervention is simple to adopt with a registered dietitian's guidance, requires no medications, and sidesteps potential side effects of pharmacological treatments," De Souza notes.
