With the spurt in the number of fitness centers and gyms across the country, more and more people are gaining an increasing awareness of the importance of regular exercise. However, is it possible to over-exercise? 

The answer to this is, of course, a yes. But then you knew that. It is important to increase the amount you exercise, gradually. Don't push yourself too hard, only to collapse the next day. Take it slow and easy, or you will only cause more harm than good, defeating the purpose of exercise. 

However, there's more to the story. 
 

Irregular periods

Women who are looking to get pregnant, should be especially careful. Excessive athletic activity could cause a change in the ovulation cycle, leading to irregular periods, delayed periods, and then skipping of periods. If this happens, it means you are definitely overdoing it. 
 

Unable to conceive

You may be unable to conceive until you lighten up your workout. Even if you are not looking to get pregnant, excessive exercise, which results in you skipping your period (amenorrhea), leads to a severe loss in bone density, leading to osteoporosis. So if you or someone you know has a high fitness level, and if seems to be affecting your period, you should start taking it easy. Marathon runners especially acquire exercised induced amenorrhea. 

It is thus important that you take small breaks from strenuous athletic activity.
 

Pushing yourself too hard, too soon

It is very important to exercise regularly, but don't push yourself endlessly. If you jog, it could be tempting to increase your distance by just a little bit every time. Do this, and before you know it, you will be jogging six hours a week, if not more, which may be a little excessive. If you have been exercising since childhood, if your current level of fitness is relatively high, and if you have noticed no irregularities in your period, then you can carry on exercising at your present rate.  
 

Fitness experts' opinion

Certain fitness experts feel that a 'fit' woman who has not been getting her period, is healthier than a woman who gets her period. They also state that such a woman can conceive even if her period has stopped, because despite exercise-induced amenorrhea, she is still ovulating. However, because of her high exercise level, the blood does not flow out of the body, but is absorbed back into the bloodstream. 

Medical experts however seem to disagree with this opinion. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, which could suppress the ovaries if produced in excess. The more rapidly you increase your exercise level, the less you eat, the greater the likelihood that your menstrual cycle would be affected.   
 

Corresponding increase in food intake

Opinion is divided on whether increased fitness levels, low weight or low body fat lead to amenorrhea. Researchers also concluded that it would be extremely irresponsible, not to mention dangerous, to state that exercise itself causes amenorrhea. The need of the hour was to find out what it is about exercise that causes amenorrhea, and this has been identified as a dangerously low fat level. The fact is that many women who exercise strenuously, also restrict their calorie intake. 

An increase in fitness without a corresponding dietary increase contributes largely to decreased menstrual flow. And if women go for more than 6 months without a period, they lose bone density.  

Athletic amenorrhea is thankfully reversible if women increase their food intake and reduce their physical activity for a short duration.