A new study published in the journal Sociology of Health and Illness highlights how information regarding fertility is being inadequately communicated to women with eating disorders. The research from University of East Anglia showed that although future fertility is being discussed with women who are receiving treatment for eating disorders by a variety of health professionals (physicians, nurses, and therapists), the way the information is being presented may not be effective.
The study looked at 24 females in the United Kingdom. The women ranged from 19 – 46 years old and included some women who already had children. All were being treated for eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. All but one of the study participants stated that potentially compromised fertility had been discussed with them during their eating disorder treatment, but they described the information as “vague” or “unclear”. Many of the women also felt that the information was being given to them as a “scare tactic” to change their behavior. One study participant felt the the medical professionals were “just trying to scare me. . .and that’s not the way to get me to be better.”
According to the lead researcher, Dr. Su Holmes, “Health professionals may have good intentions in warning someone with an ED about their fertility. But from the point of view of the participants, they were generally not seen as a helpful, caring, or compassionate aspect of treatment.”
Overall, the medical literature about whether or not eating disorders actually pose a risk to future fertility is controversial. While some studies show compromised future fertility in women with eating disorders, others show no association. What we do know is that eating disorders can cause changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle, leading to problems with ovulation.
Given that there is a potential link between eating disorders and fertility problems, communicating this information effectively is important. According to Dr. Holmes, “Medical professionals need to be as specific as possible about what the risk to fertility actually is, as well as being candid about the fact that the evidence itself is often uncertain and unclear.”