Dame Laura Kenny, who holds the title of Britain’s most successful female athlete, has raised concerns over whether the physical demands of elite sport can damage fertility. The two-time gold medallist has two young sons but also suffered a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy. Speaking to the BBC, she said she had never worried about her fertility before but had become concerned after speaking with other female athletes who had gone through similar experiences.
Expert opinion suggests that the unique strain put on the body by the lifestyle of a professional athlete, including an intense training regime that burns a huge number of calories, can significantly disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause periods to stop for months or even years. Nearly two-thirds of female athletes experience interrupted periods, particularly in endurance sports, in contrast to just 2-5% of the general population.
However, there is no clear evidence of a link between intense exercise and fertility problems, including recurrent miscarriage. While studies have found a possible link between too much intense exercise in the first three months of pregnancy and miscarriage, more research is needed to ascertain more certain answers.
When it comes to men’s participation in elite-level sport, the potential impact on fertility is similar to that for women, with burning more energy than is being consumed potentially causing problems, including lower levels of testosterone, sperm abnormalities and erectile dysfunction.
For Kenny, the conversation on the impact of elite-level sport on fertility is essential. “Honestly, I would love it if it was a lot more open,” she said in an interview. The relationship between exercise and fertility is significant to all of us, regardless of whether we are involved in elite sporting events or not
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