I started a thread on this in the politics forum if anyone wants to join me in a spirited debate! 
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Not everything is political.
These questions are already on the official Sports Physical form in the state where I practice, and have been for decades. They are not marked optional, but they are not marked mandatory either. They are in the same area as all the other questions such as those asking about asthma and orthopedic issues. All these questions just act as a starting point for discussion between the athlete and the doctor.
At least in my state, these questions do NOT get forwarded to the school or to the government. The only page of the Sports Physical form that gets forwarded to the school is the first page–the page that says 1) whether they are cleared for sports or not 2) What allergies they have 3) emergency contact numbers for their family, and 4) my signature and my office contact info. The page with the questions is NOT forwarded, NOR is the page that documents their actual physical.
Not sure how it works in any other state.
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It is performative politics because as all of you observed, this is in place in many states as a starting point. What is new is using it as a utility/doorway for other uses of that data.
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My daughter was a high school and college athlete. Every physical she had asked the same question… nothing new. I do think it is an important question for athletic departments/trainers to know because many female athletes do not get enough nutrition. And this can lead to health problems in the future.
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deleted for privacy reasons
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I am so sorry for what you went through in school. Not sure when you were in high school, but with few exceptions I do not think educators would treat kids the same now.
I can’t help but wonder what exactly menstrual history tells about an athlete’s nutrition. Wouldn’t blood tests be more helpful … and given the number of young men with eating disorders, shouldn’t they also be monitored? Not having regular periods is an indicator of a whole lot of things other than nutrition, and I can’t believe that there aren’t better ways to monitor it. If it actually is something that should be monitored … and again, if it is, why aren’t male athletes monitored? I knew a lot of wrestlers who had horrible nutrition due to trying to make weight classes.
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I’m not sure that’s entirely true, unfortunately.
Speaking as a female athlete and having a female athlete … lack of menses is a hallmark of nutritional deficit(early osteoporosis, eating disorders or simply not enough rest given workout/ school schedules) and other problems. Additionally, as part of her college physicals blood/ urine tests were also performed.
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As I see it, the issue is not whether the athletes are being properly cared for medically, but rather that that info is disclosed to non medical personnel. My daughter was a varsity athlete in high school and the only requirement was that she have an annual physical with her doctor and get sign off that she had no conditions which prevented her from participating and competing. The school didn’t know anything beyond that.
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In my DD sport the late onset of menstruation is common. Everyone on the team were getting it around 15 vs average of 12 years old. Nobody monitored it back then
But lack of menses has other reasons, including the athlete being on birth control. It’s time to rethink this. Perhaps the doctor giving the physical should simply be asked whether the athlete’s physical revealed any information that might indicate issues with nutrition. Yes or no.
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Of course they asked a dad for his opinion… 
It certainly feels like a more personal reflective example if you have a female viewpoint.
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My kids participated in sports and only had to get the normal physical and exams and shots to be in the private school they attended. I can’t recall any form with Qs about D’s periods. I can’t see why any of this info is the school’s business. ACLU should file an action to protect privacy.
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But in all likelihood, this is political. Pretending this isn’t a political issue props up the pretext that there are legitimate, non-political reasons for schools (as opposed to the students’ doctors) to be monitoring the menstrual history of the students.
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Birth control questions are also part of the athlete physical. Perhaps you are concerned about the invasion of privacy? Giving the benefit of the doubt to athletic departments and staff; a complete physical is important in managing young athletes, their workouts, and yes stress.
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Sounds like a way to identify human beings that identify differently than what might be on their birth certificates - it also sounds like a gateway to tracking women for possible pregnancy/abortion status - for me and my beliefs this is atrocious and regardless of how my family member(s) identify I would say “no” to any school or state requiring such invasive information - I’ve never been a “rah rah” US supporter but this really takes my level of distrust to a whole new level.
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Several people who post on this forum. For starters.
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I don’t recall ever seeing those questions on any athlete physical forms we’ve filled out. Not when my kid was competing in a high level club sport or during any of her years playing two varsity high school sports. Her cycle (or lack of) isn’t anyone’s business, outside of her and her doctor. Not her coaches, athletic trainers, school staff, etc.
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