Home / Lifestyle
Did you know? Visible abs might signal a risk of period loss
Many female athletes experience menstrual irregularities due to dangerously low energy availability
Achieving a visible six-pack is often viewed as a peak fitness marker, yet for women, it involves complex biological trade-offs.
Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based surgeon, recently addressed these challenges in a video posted on Friday.
He noted that while abdominal definition is physically possible, it often borders on the body's essential fat requirements, which are significantly higher for women than for men.
Are you healthy if you have six-pack abs?
Dr Rajan explained that women require roughly 12 percent essential body fat, whereas men require only 3 percent.
Because fat is a primary site for estrogen production, dropping below certain thresholds can be hazardous.
"When body fat drops too low, the brain may shut off the hormonal signals that stimulate the ovaries, potentially stopping ovulation entirely—a condition known as hypothalamic amenorrhea," Dr Rajan elaborated.
Typically, visible abs require a body fat percentage between 14 percent and 20 percent, which closely approaches these essential limits.
Why does a six-pack mean period loss?
Research into female athletes indicates that over 50 percent in specific sports suffer from menstrual irregularities. Beyond hormonal issues, extremely low body fat is linked to:
- Reduced bone density
- Cognitive issues
- Chronic fatigue
However, Dr Rajan clarified that lean physiques are not always dangerous. Some women naturally store fat in the lower body, allowing for definition at healthy levels. The primary danger stems from low energy availability caused by:
- Chronically under-consuming calories through restrictive diets
- Consistently overtraining
- Chronic stress
"Ultimately, the danger often lies in the methods used to achieve the physique rather than the six-pack itself," Dr Rajan highlighted.
Please Note: This information is for educational purposes only and does not count as professional advice. Readers should always consult a qualified doctor regarding any questions about their health or a medical condition.
