[Gynecologic and obstetric complications in eating disorders]

This report summarizes recent clinically relevant findings concerning gynecological psychosomatic symptoms of eating disorders the implications for psychiatric diagnosis and management.

The author conducted selective reviews of the literature from the last 15 years.

Malnutrition, low body weight are also an important cause of anovulation and amenorrhoea. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa are associated with potential negative consequences during pregnancy, including higher rates of miscarriage, low birth weight, obstetric complications and post partum depression.

The most suitable treatment for infertility secondary to weight related amenorrhoea or anovulation is therefore dietary rather than induction of anovulation. This highlights the importance of early detection and treatment by primary care teams. There is a need to develop preventive intervention strategies.