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Weight-bearing activities increase bone mineral density (BMD), but menstrual status may also play a role. Investigators in Boston studied the relations among menstrual status, bone density, and fracture risk in 175 teens and young women (mean age, 20). The study population included 100 oligo-amenorrheic athletes (AA), 35 eumenorrheic athletes (EA), and 40 nonathletes (NA). Oligo-amenorrhea was defined as no menarche by age ≥15 or absence of menses for ≥3 months during a 6-month period where cycle length exceeded 6 weeks. Eumenorrhea was defined as ≥9 menses yearly with no oral contraceptive use during the 3 months before enrollment. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were used to assess bone mineral density (BMD).
AA experienced menarche…