23-year-old woman 'addicted' to exercise stops menstruating. She has hormones of a 50-year-old

The woman said that as she increased the intensity of her workouts, her menstrual volume gradually decreased, and during her most recent cycle, bleeding lasted only around two hours. (Representational image: Unsplash)

A 23-year-old woman from eastern China has drawn widespread attention on social media after revealing that intense exercise six times a week caused her to stop menstruating, with doctors saying her hormone levels resembled those of a much older woman, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

The woman from Zhejiang province, whose name was not disclosed, said hospital examinations showed her female hormone levels were comparable to those of a 50-year-old. Doctors also told her she showed “obvious symptoms of kidney deficiency” and advised her to suspend workouts. She was prescribed large quantities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help regulate her body.

Exercise addiction and health warning

According to the report, the woman said she previously weighed around 65kg due to binge eating, though her current weight and height were not made public. In recent months, she became “addicted” to exercise, working out six times a week for about 70 minutes per session.

She later noticed clear changes in her menstrual cycle. Her menstrual volume gradually decreased, and during her most recent cycle, bleeding lasted only around two hours.

Doctors explain exercise-related amenorrhoea

Fan Yibing, a senior gynaecologist at Zhejiang Zhongshan Hospital, told SCMP that the condition is known as exercise-associated amenorrhoea. It occurs when energy intake is insufficient while energy expenditure is excessively high.

“When the body senses an energy crisis, it temporarily switches off reproductive functions to maintain survival,” Fan was quoted as saying. Reduced secretion of brain gonadotrophins leads to lower female hormone levels, suspension of ovulation and disrupted or halted menstruation.

Fan said the condition is reversible if workout intensity is reduced and energy balance restored.

Recovery through rest and moderation

Liu Haiyuan, a doctor at Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, said rapid weight loss of more than 15kg can also trigger amenorrhoea. In this case, Liu recommended stopping intense training for two to three months, followed by moderate exercise three to four times a week, such as yoga or other slow, relaxing activities.