Over time, the nutritional deficiencies and abnormalities in the menstrual cycle lead to premature thinning of bones that increase the risk of fractures. In very young girls, excessive levels of physical activity and rigorous weight control can prevent and delay onset of normal menstruation. Losing your period for as little as three years is enough to cause irreplaceable bone loss. If early bone loss is suspected, your doctor can check for it with special bone scans. Once bone loss does occur, eating more calcium-rich foods and taking calcium supplements may help.
Some doctors also recommend hormone replacement therapy similar to that given to women at menopause.
But the final word as to whether such therapy actually helps rebuild lost bone is still unknown. The good news is that simple changes in exercise regimens and eating habits often is enough to bring back the menstrual period, says Tulane's Buxton. But, the important message for parents and coaches, he says, is that young girls looking for acceptance and to boost their self-esteem through competition are susceptible to this disorder and need help in avoiding it or working through it once it's diagnosed. Parents can help by getting more involved, he says, and, if necessary, getting rid of overbearing coaches and learning more about how early damage to the body and its various systems can lead to a lifelong struggle to recover. One group spearheading a movement to educate people about female athlete triad is USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States.