Open AccessWomen with anorexia nervosa should not be treated with estrogen or birth control pills in a bone‐sparing effect
Author(s) -
Bergström Ingrid,
Crisby Milita,
Engström AnneMay,
Hölcke Mats,
Fored Monika,
Jakobsson Kruse Pia,
Sandberg AnnMarie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12178
Subject(s) - medicine , anorexia nervosa , amenorrhea , anorexia , pill , estrogen , eating disorders , osteoporosis , hormone replacement therapy (female to male) , hormone therapy , hormone , bone density , menstruation , pediatrics , gynecology , pregnancy , obstetrics , psychiatry , breast cancer , cancer , testosterone (patch) , biology , pharmacology , genetics
Eating disorders are prevalent, serious conditions that affect mainly young women. An early and enduring sign of anorexia is amenorrhea. There is no evidence for benefits of hormone therapy in patients with anorexia; however, hormone medication and oral contraceptives are frequently prescribed for young women with anorexia as a prevention against and treatment for low bone mineral density. The use of estrogens may create a false picture indicating that the skeleton is being protected against osteoporosis. Thus the motivation to regain weight, and adhere to treatment of the eating disorder in itself, may be reduced. The most important intervention is to restore the menstrual periods through increased nutrition. Hormone and oral contraceptive therapy should not be prescribed for young women with amenorrhea and concurrent eating disorders.