Increasing energy availability is the cornerstone treatment for any of the components of the Female Athlete Triad (1,2). This can be achieved by increasing caloric intake (eating more) or by reducing exercise energy expenditure (exercise less). In many athletes, increasing energy availability also means increasing body weight.
Full Answer
What is the treatment for triad in female athletes?
Laboratory tests, assessment of bone density, nutritional assessment, and behavior health evaluation guide the management of the female athlete with Triad-related conditions. Treatment of the Triad includes adequate caloric consumption to restore a positive energy balance; this is often the first step in successful management of the Triad.
What are the components of the female athlete triad?
The components of the female athlete triad are low EA (with or without an ED), MD, and low BMD.3These conditions can occur in isolation or in combination.
What is the best treatment for triad of menstrual cramps?
The optimal treatment for the triad needs to address the low energy availability or nutritional status of the athlete [3]. Nutritional counseling and increased diet and meal plan to restore normalization of body weight is essential for resumption of menses and improved bone health.
What are the treatment options for the triad of gestational diabetes?
Treatment plans for those with the triad vary depending on the individual’s presentation of the symptoms. Larger treatment goals include reversal of weight loss, return to body weight associated with normal menses, and weight gain to achieve BMI of 18.5 or greater. Nutritional values vary depending on exercise and sport requirements.
How are female triads treated?
There are things you can do to prevent the female athlete triad, especially if you are at risk.Eat a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet.Exercise in moderate amounts.Get plenty of rest.Find ways to reduce stress.Talk to a doctor or counselor to get help.
How long does it take to recover from female athlete triad?
Because the root of Triad is inadequate energy, the recommended first course of action is to start nutritional therapy for one year to increase energy levels. This should start to recover menstrual status after a few months.
What would be the the health problems faced by female athlete triad?
The female athlete triad (the triad) is an interrelationship of menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), and decreased bone mineral density; it is relatively common among young women participating in sports.
What are the 3 parts of the female triad?
The female athlete triad was recognized in 1992 and is defined as a spectrum disorder of three interrelated components: (1) low energy availability due to disordered eating, eating disorder, or lack of nutrition relative to caloric expenditure; (2) menstrual dysfunction; and (3) low bone mineral density (BMD).
What treatments are needed for an athlete with female athlete triad?
Effective treatment recommendations include immediately focusing on the appropriate nutritional plan and modifying athletic training and exercise. Cognitive therapy is highly effective as it works with individuals to change negative thinking and behaviors around disordered eating, exercise, and body image.
Why do female athletes stop having periods?
Summary. Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstrual periods. Women who are elite athletes or who exercise excessively on a regular basis are at risk of developing athletic amenorrhoea. Causes are thought to include low levels of body fat and the effects of exercise-related hormones on the menstrual cycle.
What is female athlete triad write its Causes & treatment remedies?
The female athlete triad (“the triad,” for short) is a medical condition with 3 parts. Girls with the triad may: not eat enough for their activity level. Some girls may diet, avoid some foods, or have an eating disorder.
How does the female athlete triad affect performance?
Occasionally, a female athlete who focuses on being thin or lightweight may eat too little or exercise too much. Doing this can cause long-term damage to health, or even death. It can also hurt athletic performance or make it necessary to limit or stop exercise.
What are possible risks for female athletes?
There are three in particular that can be seen in females undergoing rigorous training and competition: 1) delayed or irregular menstruation, 2) bony stress injury, and 3) disordered eating. These three conditions are referred to as Relative Energy in Sport (RED-S) or the Female Athlete Triad.
What is the female athlete triad what factors are involved and how does the Triad develop?
The female athlete triad is defined as the combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea and osteoporosis. This disorder often goes unrecognized. The consequences of lost bone mineral density can be devastating for the female athlete.
What is the likely cause of the amenorrhea in those diagnosed with the female athlete triad?
Amenorrhea that is related to athletic training and weight fluctuation is caused by changes in the hypothalamus. These changes result in decreased levels of estrogen.
What is the goal of the female athlete triad?
One of the main goals of treating the female athlete triad is to regain weight lost, with an improvement in overall nutritional and energetic status. If an eating disorder is present, then it is also emphasized in the treatment plan that the focus on modification of unhealthy attitudes, behaviors, and emotions related to food, body, ...
Why is the female athlete triad so difficult to diagnose?
Both screening and diagnosis of the Female Athlete Triad can be challenging due to the fact that not all areas that are affected by the triad are readily apparent, or fully developed [1]. Screening and diagnosis require a physician to readily understand each component of the triad, as well as an understand the individual athlete.
When can you do triad screening?
Screenings can be done at anytime during the sport season if a professional, coach , or health care professional suspects that an athlete has developed triad-related conditions.
What are the signs of a triad?
Typically, signs of the athlete showing triad-related concerns are progressive weight loss, disordered eating behaviors, and irritability. Other concerns are complaints about declining performance or overexercising behaviors, as well as overuse injuries. If triad-related conditions are identified or suspected, the athlete needs to be assessment ...
What are the team members for the Triad?
Team members often include a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist, nutritionist or die titian, physical therapist, athletic trainer, coach, family members, and most importantly, the patient.
Is MD a pharmacologic treatment?
In addition, determining the cause of menstrual dysfunction (MD) and resumption of menses is very important. Nonpharmacologic interventions are the first choice; pharmacologic treatment for MD is reserved only for those patients with symptoms of estrogen deficiency or infertility.
Can estrogen be used for BMD?
Regarding pharmacologic strategies, estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are not effective for increasing BMD and should not be used for that purpose.6,54,55,66,67There is no evidence regarding the use of transdermal estrogen or testosterone in the treatment of low BMD in amenorrheic athletes.
How to treat a child with a triad?
Common TRIAD treatments include: A new diet and nutrition plan to increase calorie consumption. Changes to your child’s exercise routine.
What tests are done to determine if a child has a tricep?
If the care team thinks your child might have the TRIAD, they might do one or more of the following tests: Assessment of your child’s current diet, exercise routine and menstrual cycle. Physical exam. Blood tests, which include checking nutrient and hormone levels.
Why is triad important?
Further, TRIAD raises your child’s risk of breaking other bones in the future, which can affect their athletic performance. Rev. 12/2018.
What are the characteristics of a triad?
The female athlete triad (TRIAD) is a condition that affects female athletes. It includes the following 3 characteristics: 1 Low energy availability caused by not balancing calories burned during exercise with calories consumed 2 Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual periods or delay of first menstrual period) caused by low energy availability 3 Low bone density or osteoporosis (a decrease in bone density that causes weak, brittle bones that break easily)
Can TRIAD cause low bone density?
TRIAD can cause low bone density for age and osteoporosis . Osteoporosis in children and teenagers is defined as low bone density associated with a significant fracture history, especially if the injury that caused the break is a low-impact injury.
Approach Considerations
When identified, main focus should be correcting the cornerstone of the female athlete triad, decreased energy availability, through a multispecialty team of providers.
Special concerns
Because the female athlete triad affects a specific subpopulation, it raises a few special concerns.