The Menstrual Cycle is the 5th Vital Sign for Women

Vital Sign Basics

Often when you go to the doctor the first things they check are what are known as your Vital Signs:

1. Blood Pressure

2. Heart Rate

3. Respiratory Rate

4. Body Temperature

These numbers are very important for your health when it comes to how your body is functioning at a specific moment in time. For example, if your heart rate and body temperature are elevated, it could be a sign you’re fighting off a virus or infection that needs to be treated.

The 5th Vital Sign for Women's Health

There is another marker of health that is often overlooked when women are being evaluated and that is their menstrual cycle. This marker is so important to a women’s overall health that it is often called the 5th vital sign.

What Your Menstrual Cycle Says About Your Health

Healthy Periods

• Bleeding predictably every 28-35 days

• Bleeding that lasts 5-7 days, starting heavy and ending light

• Any significant deviation from "normal" could be a sign of an underlying condition: pregnancy, infection, energy depletion, etc.

Irregular Periods

• Bleeding is unpredictable (28 days one cycle to 54 days the next)

• Length of bleeding phase is not consistent (5 days one period to 12 days the next)

• Irregular menstruation should be evaluated for conditions that cause anovulation or hormonal fluctuations

  • i.e. tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid conditions

Missing Periods

• There are a few instances where missing periods are less concerning: pregnancy and menopause

• A period that goes from regular to missing is a cause for concern and prompts evaluation

• While it sounds like a bio hack to avoid bleeding every month, this is a major red flag!

Overtraining Can Cause Missed Periods

When we perform at a high level and do not adjust our diet to accommodate those changes, our body shuts down non-vital functions i.e. reproduction. This puts us at risk for injuries such as stress reactions, tendons injuries, ACL tears, etc.

This common phenomenon is called REDS (relative energy deficiency syndrome) and frequently occurs in young female athletes. Parents, coaches, and providers need to be aware of this too common phenomenon and addressing adequate fueling with their athletes. It is especially important in kids and young adults who are playing sports year round or multiple sports at a time. When proper fueling is met, REDS goes away and the risk of injury drops significantly.

If you or a loved one need help navigating this conversation with your athlete, always seek help from a trained medical provider.