Menstrual Abnormalities and Normal Menstrual Cycle Duration

Normal Menstrual Cycle Parameters

The normal menstrual cycle typically lasts between 21 and 35 days, with eumenorrhea defined as regular cycles occurring at intervals within this range, as defined by the British Journal of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine 1, 2
Cycle length is typically 21-35 days in adult women, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine 1, 2
Adolescent cycle length is typically 21-45 days, as reported by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Ovulation generally occurs during days 9-20 in a standard 28-day cycle, as stated by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 3

Oligomenorrhea is defined as cycles longer than 35 days, as defined by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Primary amenorrhea is defined as no menarche by age 15 years, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Secondary amenorrhea is defined as absence of three consecutive cycles or no menses for more than 45 days, as reported by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Hypomenorrhea is defined as abnormally light bleeding, as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Menorrhagia/Hypermenorrhea is defined as abnormally heavy bleeding, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Premenstrual and postmenstrual spotting is defined as light bleeding before or after the main menstrual flow, as reported by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Subclinical menstrual defects are abnormalities that may not be apparent without hormonal testing, as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine 2, 4

The Female Athlete Triad is the interrelationship between energy availability, bone health, and menstrual function, as defined by Sports Medicine 4, 5
Energy availability below 30 kcal/kg fat-free mass per day is associated with menstrual disturbances, according to Sports Medicine 4, 5
Menstrual disorders affect up to 69% of dancers and collegiate long-distance runners, as reported by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 2
Risk factors for menstrual disorders include rapid weight loss, low body fat, high training volume, and psychological stress, as stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine and Sports Medicine 2, 5