Presence and Perceptions of Menstrual Dysfunction and Associated Quality of Life Measures Among High School Female Athletes

Nearly half of our sample of adolescent female athletes perceived losing their period was a normal response to high training demands. Females with menstrual dysfunction reported higher levels of anxiety, fatigue, and pain interference than those without menstrual dysfunction. Understanding adolescent perceptions of menstrual dysfunction and the characteristics of those with menstrual dysfunction can guide the development of future educational interventions aimed at athletes at risk for the female athlete triad.