Reports from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) Add New Study Findings to Research in Anovulation (Are Menstrual Disturbances Associated with an Energy Availability Threshold? A Critical Review of the Evidence).

A new report from Pennsylvania State University discusses research findings on anovulation, a condition characterized by menstrual disturbances. The study examines the theory that disruptions to the reproductive axis and menstrual disturbances occur below a proposed energy availability (EA) threshold of 30 kcal/kg LBM/d. Short-term laboratory studies showed that an EA below this threshold decreased serum triiodothyronine and luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency in sedentary, menstruating women. Long-term studies also demonstrated the effects of low EA on menstrual function. However, the study concludes that the proposed EA threshold is not a cut-off for menstrual disturbances, but rather represents an increased risk of experiencing them. [Extracted from the article]