PERIOD DRAMA

Suddenly without a cycle? You might be suffering from female athlete triad, a syndrome brought on by taking healthy habits to the extreme. You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to be at risk of this condition, named for its diagnostic trifecta: inadequate calorie consumption, shrinking bone-mineral density and three or more missed periods in a row. What’s happening? Not getting enough fuel for your workouts triggers a domino effect in the brain that halts menstruation and puts you at risk of osteoporosis, which can lead to bone fractures. If your absent periods are accompanied by fatigue, fuzzy thinking and a faltering workout performance, use an app like Myfitnesspal to make sure your exercise output isn’t exceeding your food intake, or see a nutritionist for help with meal planning. If symptoms still linger after that, contact your doctor.