The team of researchers from King's College London and University College London, reported in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said that women with eating disorders 2 times more likely to need fertility treatment and need extra support during and after pregnancy.
The study found that 39.5% of women with eating disorders take longer than six months to get pregnant. Eating disorders such as bulimia (brings back food after ingested) and anorexia (lack of appetite leading to weight loss).
Moreover, he tends to be more need of fertility treatment is about 6.2 percent compared with the general population is only 2.7 percent. Yet, surprisingly few pregnancies in the group of anorexic women were not planned.
"This research highlights that there is a risk of infertility associated with eating disorders. However, high levels of unplanned pregnancies in women with a history of anorexia showed that women may underestimate their chances of getting pregnant," said lead researcher Dr. Abigail Easter from the Institute of Psychiatry in King's College, as quoted by the BBC on Wednesday (08/03/2011).
Dr. Easter said that pregnancy can be a difficult time for women with eating disorders. He added that women planning a pregnancy, should ideally be seeking treatment for symptoms of eating disorders and health professionals should be aware of the eating disorder when examining fertility.
The study involved over 11,000 women in the Bristol area who participate in long-term study to track the health of mothers and their children. The women were questioned about a history of eating disorders and attitudes towards pregnancy during the first half of pregnancy.
"Eating disorders are very serious disease, for depriving the nutrients the body needs. The consequences would affect her health in the long run," said Mary George of the foundation Beat eating disorders.
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