Question

Although estrogen is primarily produced by ovaries, it is also produced by the adrenal glands and in fat tissue. Young female athletes who train strenuously often find that their menstrual cycle shuts down. What would be a reasonable direct cause of this shutdown?

Answer 1

Intense physical training can cause physiological stress leading to decreased estrogen production and menstrual cycle shutdown in young female athletes due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and altered release of gonadotropins.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reasonable direct cause of menstrual cycle shutdown in young female athletes who train strenuously could be related to the balance of hormones in the body. When an individual undergoes intense physical training, there can be physiological stress that leads to alterations in the normal release of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) from the pituitary gland.

These hormones are crucial for stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, which are necessary for the regular menstrual cycle. Intense training can lead to an energy deficit and resultant stress which might suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, causing a decrease in estrogen levels and resulting in menstrual irregularity or amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).