Effects of Resistance Training on Women With Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

NCT07612735 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CE052508
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a condition where women lose their menstrual periods, typically due to a combination of stress and insufficient calorie intake to fuel their daily physical activity (low energy availability). Standard medical advice often requires these women to completely stop exercising to recover their energy balance and hormones. However, this "complete rest" approach can cause severe anxiety for active individuals and removes the necessary mechanical loading that keeps bones strong. This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of an 8-week supervised resistance training (weightlifting) program as a realistic alternative treatment for active women with FHA. The researchers compare a group of women experiencing FHA to a control group of women with regular menstrual cycles. Over the 8 weeks, participants complete three moderate-intensity, full-body weightlifting sessions per week. The primary goal is to determine if women with FHA can successfully recover their menstrual cycles while continuing to lift weights. Additionally, the study monitors changes in muscle strength, jumping performance, body composition, resting heart rate, and psychological well-being. Ultimately, this study aims to provide healthcare providers and coaches with evidence-based strategies that allow female athletes to safely maintain their athletic identity and physical health during recovery.

Conditions

Amenorrhea; Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA); Low Energy Availability; Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incidence of Menstrual Recovery

  Number of participants in the Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) group who experience at least one spontaneous menstrual bleeding episode during the 8-week intervention. Menstrual status is monitored daily using non-invasive methods: self-reported menstrual diaries and basal body temperature (BBT) tracking with a digital thermometer (SENTI2) to identify hormonal fluctuations. Recovery is defined as the occurrence of the first menses post-intervention commencement.

  8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Change in Neuromuscular Performance (Lower Limb Power)

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Change in Neuromuscular Performance (Upper Limb Power)

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Change in Body Mass

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Change in Fat Mass

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Change in Body Mass Index

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (absence of menses for at least three consecutive mont

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Resistance Training Program

Eumenorrheic women with regular ovulatory cycles (24-35 days) performing the same 8-week supervised

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Resistance Training Program

Interventions

Resistance Training Program OTHER

Supervised 8-week resistance training program consisting of three non-consecutive full-body sessions per week. Each session included four multi-joint exercises targeting upper and lower body muscle groups. Training dosage: Volume: Two working sets of 6-8 repetitions per exercise. Intensity: Individualized loads progressed weekly from 60% to 80% of estimated 1RM. 1RM was estimated using the Epley equation. Effort: Performed at 0-1 repetitions in reserve (RIR). Rest:Standardized 1-minute intervals between sets. Adherence was tracked via a mobile application, recording load, sets, repetitions, and session RPE. Training was conducted under professional supervision to ensure safety and protocol compliance.

Eumenorrheic women with regular ovulatory cycles (24-35 days) performing the same 8-week supervised; Women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (absence of menses for at least three consecutive mont

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female participants aged over 18 years, including women with amenorrhea and eumenorrheic women, who have not previously engaged in strength training exercise prior to the interventio
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• General Profile: Active women aged 18 to 35 years.
• FHA Group: Clinical diagnosis of Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, defined as the absence of menstruation for at least three consecutive months not attributable to other endocrine disorders.
• Control Group (EU): Eumenorrheic women with regular ovulatory cycles lasting between 24 and 35 days during the previous six months.
• Commitment: Agreement to participate in a supervised 8-week resistance training program and provision of medical documentation confirming menstrual status.

You may not qualify if:

• Hormonal Status: Current use of any hormonal contraceptives.
• Medical Conditions: Diagnosed endocrine disorders such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hyperandrogenism, or thyroid dysfunction.
• Pregnancy: Current pregnancy.
• Physical Activity History: Engagement in any structured resistance training program during the three months prior to the start of the intervention.
• General Health: Any medical condition that could interfere with the study protocol or the ability to perform physical exercise.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Catholic University of Murcia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Católica de Murcia

Murcia, Murcia, 30107, Spain

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Bunt S, Steverink N, Andrew MK, Schans CPV, Hobbelen H. Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Social Vulnerability Index for Use in the Dutch Context. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Nov 14;14(11):1387. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111387.

  PMID: 29135914 BACKGROUND

• Cahoon EK, Nadyrov EA, Polyanskaya ON, Yauseyenka VV, Veyalkin IV, Yeudachkova TI, Maskvicheva TI, Minenko VF, Liu W, Drozdovitch V, Mabuchi K, Little MP, Zablotska LB, McConnell RJ, Hatch M, Peters KO, Rozhko AV, Brenner AV. Risk of Thyroid Nodules in Residents of Belarus Exposed to Chernobyl Fallout as Children and Adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jul 1;102(7):2207-2217. doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-3842.

  PMID: 28368520 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Amenorrhea; Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Menstruation Disturbances; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 15, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 10, 2026
• Study Completion: July 25, 2026
• Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)