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Understanding Menstrual Irregularities in Exercising Women

This study is looking at how changes in exercise and stress might affect menstrual cycles in women who run or cycle regularly. Researchers want to see if increasing your exercise or doing certain cognitive tasks (psychosocial stress) impacts your reproductive hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) and how long your menstrual cycle is. They also want to know if combining both increased exercise and stress has an even greater effect. To join, you should be a woman between 18 and 35 years old, exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes, 4 days a week), have regular periods, and not be using hormonal birth control. The study aims to enroll 54 participants. Success will be measured by changes in specific hormone levels in your urine after 3 months.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive specific interventions. It plans to enroll 54 women.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints are measured at 3 months, indicating a follow-up period of at least that duration.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05967819

Effects of Physical and Psychosocial Stress on Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea in Exercising Women

Recruiting
NAAges 18–35InterventionalBasic science
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
~54 participants
Updated 2026-01-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise StressPsychosocial Stress

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G)
Measured over 3 months
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Amenorrhea Secondary

Explore related trials

AmenorrheaLuteinizing HormoneProgesterone

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Colorado1

Who to contact

Marissa Baranauskas, PhD
[email protected]
719-255-4475
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

participates in structured running or cycling exercise for at least 30 minutes on 4 days per week or more
have regular periods every 21 to 35 days
have not used hormonal contraceptives for at least the past 6 months
are not currently or trying to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, and have not been pregnant or breastfeeding for the past 12 months
have never been diagnosed with a menstrual cycle disorder (e.g., menorrhagia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovary syndrome \[PCOS\], endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder \[PMDD\], menstrual migraines, ovarian cancer, ovarian insufficiency, uterine or endometrial cancer)
have never been diagnosed with a metabolic disease (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing disease, Addison's disease, diabetes)

Exclusion

missing \> 4 consecutive days of aerobic exercise (i.e., running, cycling, cross training) if assigned to the exercise intervention groups
they indicate they "Could not participate at all due to a health problem" or have had to modify their exercise training, felt their injury, illness, or other health problem has affected their exercise performance, or experienced symptoms/ health complaints greater than "To a minor extent" on the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire (exercise training intervention group)
demonstrate clinical low energy availability as defined as energy availability \<30 Kcal/kg fat free mass in the first two months of at-home monitoring
report menstrual cycle lengths \<21 days or \>35 days in the first two months of at-home monitoring
do not demonstrate an anticipated rise in progesterone levels during the latter half of their cycle and luteinizing hormone levels at mid-cycle compared to tests taken during the first few days after menses in the first two months of at-home monitoring
begin taking a hormonal contraceptive
become pregnant
are diagnosed with a menstrual cycle disorder (e.g., menorrhagia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovary syndrome \[PCOS\], endometriosis, premenstrual dysphoric disorder \[PMDD\], menstrual migraines, ovarian cancer, ovarian insufficiency, uterine or endometrial cancer)
are diagnosed with a metabolic disease (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing disease, Addison's disease, diabetes), 10) are diagnosed with a major cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or musculoskeletal injury
are unable to follow instructions for any of the procedures

What this trial measures

  • Urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G)3 months

    ng/mL

  • Urinary pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG)3 months

    ug/mL

  • Urinary luteinizing hormone (LH)3 months

    MIU/mL

  • Menstrual cycle length3 months

    days