Serum estradiol, hematological parameters, and urinary electrolytes excretion in oligomenorrheic and eumenorrheic athletes on self‐selected diets

The objectives of this study were to determine the serum estrogen, percent body fat, dietary intake, urinary electrolyte excretion, and hematological status of female athletes experiencing irregular and regular menstrual cycles. A 3‐day dietary record was collected from seven oligomenorrheic and 10 eumenorrheic female athletes. Fasting blood samples were collected to determine serum estradiol, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels. There was no signiflcant difference between the groups in either the serum estradiol, iron, albumin, hemoglobin, or hematocrit levels. Most subjects in both groups consumed less than 50% of the recommended daily allowance for iron, zinc, vitamin B6, and estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake for copper. The results show significant lower body fat in the oligomenorrheic group and a low nutrient intake in both groups. Strenuous exercise plus an inadequate nutrient intake could pose long‐term nutritional problems for athletes.