Female Athlete Triad

Abstract

The passage of Title IX in 1972 resulted in a tremendous increase in the number of females participating in high school and collegiate athletics. This rise in female athletes sparked new focus areas of research in sports medicine related to woman with an important area emerging in 1980, the female athlete triad. This triad consisting of low energy availability, menstrual irregularities, and bone health disruption spans a spectrum of severity and has evolved both in diagnosis and in management throughout the years. Many health questions arise for female athletes and their health care providers, often concerning the most effective management and treatment strategies for this triad. This review examines the research and latest advancements in recognizing and understanding the female athlete triad and explores the most current recommendations for treatment and prevention.