Dr. Violeta Nikolov: Nuk duhet të injorojmë shëndetin menstrual të sportisteve

Në një intervistë më 30 tetor 2026, dr. Violeta Nikolov, specialiste e gjinekologjisë në Spitalin Klinik të Velesit, theksoi se shëndeti menstrual i sportisteve shpesh injorohet, ndërsa çrregullimet e ciklit mund të jenë shenja të hershme të RED‑S — mungesë relative të energjisë në sport.

Çfarë është RED‑S dhe si ndikon

Dr. Nikolov e përshkroi qartë: "RED‑S is the syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sport. It occurs when the body over a prolonged period does not receive enough energy from food to cover the demands of training, growth and normal functioning. It can affect hormones, the menstrual cycle, bones, immunity and sports performance."

Ajo vuri në dukje se vonesa e menarkesë apo mungesa e ciklit tashmë të vendosur nuk duhet të injorohen: "The timing of the first menstrual period varies, but if it has not appeared by the age of 15, a medical evaluation is needed. Also, a medical assessment should be sought if menstruation does not occur within three years of breast development. Intense training and insufficient energy intake can be part of the causes, but they are not the only possible factors."

Për amenorréin sekondare ajo sqaroi: "That is the absence of menstruation after it has already started. If menstruation is absent for three consecutive months, the athlete should consult a physician, especially if she previously had regular cycles. It should not automatically be attributed to intensive training, because there may be other causes."

Dr. Nikolov paralajmëroi se mungesa e menstruacioneve nuk është tregues i përshtatjes së mirë ndaj stërvitjes: "No. The absence of menstruation can be a sign that the body is not receiving enough energy to meet the needs of training and normal functioning. It should not be considered a normal consequence of sport, but a warning sign that medical assessment is needed."

Për parandalimin ajo rekomandoi qasje të kombinuar: "Prevention implies sufficient food intake according to the real needs of the body, adequate rest, individually planned training load and open communication among the athlete, parents, coach and health professionals. When there is suspicion of RED‑S, an individual approach is required, not just a change in training. However, I believe that here, to have good prevention, first of all we must raise awareness of the seriousness of this problem at all levels – starting from the athlete, through parents and coaches, up to health professionals. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary."

Ajo theksoi se cikli menstrual është tregues i rëndësishëm i shëndetit edhe nëse sportistja nuk planifikon shtatzëni, dhe paralajmëroi se pilulat kontraceptive mund të fshehin problemin real: "Not necessarily. Contraceptive pills can cause bleeding that does not reflect the natural functioning of the menstrual cycle, thus hiding the problem. Therefore it is important to determine the cause of the missing menstruation and treat the underlying condition."

Projekti "Women's Sports Stories" u realizua me hapjen dhe bashkëpunimin e Federatës së Hendbollit të Maqedonisë së Veriut dhe Federatës së Basketbollit të Maqedonisë së Veriut, dhe me mbështetjen e Triglav Sigurim Jetë AD Shkup.

Foto: Privatna arhiva na Violeta Nikolov