Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Anorexia and fertility

Advertisement

Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 1/23/2011


Question
Hi,
I was wondering that after a long period of time suffering from anorexia, and after your periods stop, will they ever come back? And also, what causes fertility in anorexics? is it from a lack of periods? If so, how long would your period have had to have stopped for you to become infertile?
Many thanks

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Lauren,

I'm so glad that you asked this question.  This is one of the most frequent questions I'm asked.

Eating disorders are an important health concern among women and adolescents. Young women frequently present with signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These disorders represent clinically significant illnesses with serious and sometimes permanent medical complications, including a number of endocrine conditions, that result from the body's adaptive response to malnutrition. Examples include disorders of metabolism, cortisol and leptin regulation, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, thyroid function, glucose regulation, growth and development, and reproductive function with the development of amenorrhea (having no menstrual periods) as well as the risk of osteoporosis.

A weight approximately 90% of standard body weight was the average weight at which menstruation  re-occurred and is a reasonable treatment goal weight, because 86% of patients who achieved this goal resumed periods within 6 months.

Following weight rehabilitation, the individual's metabolic set point before weight loss and the current insulin levels appear significant in predicting the reactivation of the menstrual cycle.

As you can tell it's quite a complex physiological problem.  I usually say that when a person reaches a BMI of 18 that their periods should return.  However, if a person has been severely anorexic for a number of years menstruation may never return.

Do you have a good gynecologist?

Below are two references for research articles that might be of interest!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700



Resumption of menses in anorexia nervosa.

Golden NH, Jacobson MS, Schebendach J, Solanto MV, Hertz SM, Shenker IR.

Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.



Predictors of recovery of ovarian function after weight gain in subjects with amenorrhea related to restrictive eating disorders.

Dei M, Seravalli V, Bruni V, Balzi D, Pasqua A.

Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. meteldei@alice.it

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.