The female athlete: What is the menstrual cycle and how can it effect the female athlete?
The menstrual cycle is typically divided into four main phases: menses (bleeding), follicular, ovulation and luteal with normal cycles lasting 21-35 days. The phases can be defined mainly by oestrogen and progesterone hormonal profiles. The menstrual cycle may be classified as normal, oligomennorheic, ammenorhea. Oligomennorhea - menstrual cycle length >6 weeks but less than 6 months Ammenorhea - absence of menstrual cycle >6 months Previous research has indicated that the fe