Female athlete triad is a syndrome in which anaemia, Oesteoporosis and amenorrhoea are present. It is simply known as ‘triad’. The triad is a serious disorder or illness with lifelong health consequences and can be very fatal. The symptoms of triad may include fatigue, frequent injuries, loss of endurance and power irritability, increased healing time form injuries, cessation of menstruation and low self-esteem etc.

Anaemia
Anaemia is usually defined as a decrease in the amount of red cells in the blood. It is identified as the most common medical condition among athletes. They may get feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of endurance, and weakness. A number of research studies show that athlete especially female athletes are often iron deficient or anaemic. Iron is essential for better performance, because its major function is to carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from all the cells of the body. Athletic anaemia may be caused by inadequate iron intake, less iron absorption, loss of iron through sweat (especially during long distance races), destruction of red blood cells, gastrointestinal blood loss and menstruation etc.

In fact, regular menstrual losses increase the iron needs of female athletes. By limiting or eliminating meat, eliminates some of the best available source of iron. In fact, iron from fruits, vegetables and cereals sources is not absorbed well as that from animal sources. Female athletes specially the long distance runners may loose iron through intestinal bleeding, sweat, urine and faeces.