{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman","title":"Amenorrhea, Energy Deficiency & the Female Athlete","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/dc11cd05\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3185,"description":"We dive into the often-overlooked topic of amenorrhea: the absence of menstruation. Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack the science with a focus on Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) linked to energy deficiency in athletes. They explore how intense training and and sport pressures around leanness or weight can disrupt regular hormonal signals, affecting long-term bone density, cardiovascular health, and performance. They also discuss the original concept of the Female Athlete Triad (low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density) and its evolution into RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), a more holistic model encompassing many aspects of health and wellbeing.\nThe conversation expands into evolutionary perspectives, comparing Western menstrual experiences—from menarche to menopause—with those of hunter-gatherer populations like the Hadza, and questioning what “normal” really means. Ultimately, this episode reframes intense athletics as a nuanced practice that must be supported by adequate nutrition and recovery.\n\nEnhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript\n00:00 – Intro & Sponsors\n02:45 – What Is Amenorrhea?\n05:40 – Primary vs Secondary Amenorrhea\n09:00 – Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA): Energy deficiency and hormonal suppression\n11:10 – Female Athlete Triad → RED-S: Evolution of understanding in sports science\n21:30 – The Hadza perspective: menarche to menopause\n25:25 – Negative consequences of amenorrhea: Bone Health  \n29:15 – IUD induced amenorrhea \n37:00 – Historical and modern timelines for menarche compared to the Hadza \n50:45 – Closing thoughts on ancient humans \nLinks & Research Mentioned:\n\nSubstack article that prompted this episode \nDr Jen Gunter’s article on the hormonal IUD and bone health \nForaging & Menstruation in the Hadza of Tanzania \nComparison between The Female Athlete Triad & RED-S\n\nConnect, Move & Learn:\nJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses\nFollow Katy on...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/U5WxhJlsGPWey1xfDiO0g7h2Z2IvcHpraZq7vVUBMGg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI4MjA1LzE2NDQz/NDkzMjctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}