Mark P. Trolice, M.D., was featured on Yahoo to discuss how eating disorders are a threat to health and fertility.According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 20 million women in the U.S. have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. One potential long-term consequence is infertility; some studies suggest that past and present eating disorders are found in up to 20 percent of women seen in fertility clinics[1].
“Women with histories of eating disorders may struggle with fertility issues and encounter difficulty becoming pregnant,” Dr. Trolice said. “They may also struggle with re-emerging body image issues during and after pregnancy. Being open with your health care provider and reproductive health counselor is one of the most important ways to cope with and overcome this problem.”
1. Freizinger, M., Franko, D.L., Dacey, M., Okun, B., and Domar, A.D., “The prevalence of eating disorders in infertile women,” Fertil Steril, January 2010.
