This episode of Beyond the Stick explores menstrual health and energy availability in female athletes, and how both directly impact performance and long-term health. Host Abby Bosco is joined by Dr. Jaci VanHeest, a leading researcher on RED-S and the Female Athlete Triad, and Dr. Alexis Coslik, team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Team, for an in-depth conversation grounded in both research and real-world experience.

They break down the Female Athlete Triad—low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density—and expand on how it connects to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), a broader condition that affects nearly every system in the body. The discussion highlights how inadequate fueling can impair performance, recovery, mood, and decision-making, while also increasing injury risk.

The episode also challenges common misconceptions, including the belief that losing a menstrual cycle is “normal” for athletes, and explains why it’s actually a key warning sign of underlying imbalance. Bosco and her guests discuss how athletes can better understand their cycles, how training and performance may fluctuate, and why maintaining proper energy balance is critical.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of the link between nutrition, menstrual health, and performance, along with practical strategies for fueling, recognizing early warning signs, and creating supportive environments where athletes feel comfortable addressing these often-overlooked topics.