Eating disorders can make you infertile

Women are often told not to delay pregnancy because they might face complications later in life. But the fact is, fertility has little to do with age. While reports of unwanted pregnancy are extremely common, couples struggling to have a child are also widely found. Pregnancy – though a period of high mental and physical stress for the mother –is a gift for couples looking to expand their family and welcome a child in their life.

Dr Sarika Gupta, Consultant Gynaecologic Oncology and Robotic Gynaecology at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, explains what delays pregnancy. She says, "Not many people are aware that eating disorders are connected with the issues of infertility. In fact, women who did overcome their abnormal eating habits, now feel how much effect their previous lifestyle had on their fertility. Most importantly, not only women but men can also face this issue due to improper eating habits resulting in malnutrition."

The best part is that with accurate and thorough self-care, you can overcome this severe issue emerging due to eating disorders. However, you need to be honest if you are already getting a treatment from other fertility specialists because this will be a great help to customize the kind of care which needs to be given to you.

Eating Disorders describe illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape.

Eating disturbances may include inadequate or excessive food intake, which can ultimately damage an individual's well-being. The most common forms of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder which affect females as well as males. Eating disorders can develop during any stage in life but typically appear during the teen years or young adulthood. Although these conditions are treatable, the symptoms and consequences can be detrimental and deadly if not addressed properly. (Sic)

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is the foremost thing which will be evaluated by fertility specialists when you face a problem in conceiving. Normally, the conception range of BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Both men and women are at the edge of infertility when their BMI transforms from overweight to 'obese'. On the other hand, having a BMI under 18.5 is also dangerous because, in this condition, the ovulation may stop and you will start having irregular periods. According to studies, infertility is also linked with an increase in the level of stress hormones. The overall combination of high emotional, as well as, physical stress accompanied by eating disorders might question your ability to conceive.

One of the most shocking facts is that a woman can face infertility issue in future even if she has overcome or controlled the situation. This is because the physical, mental and emotional stress produced by the eating disorder in combination with malnutrition can create hormonal imbalances that can pertain even after the situation is controlled. But most of the women may find great results by consuming healthy diet on time and good BMI results which will ensure proper regulation of your ovulation cycle.

Eating disorder not only leads to infertility but it also affects pregnancy as well as the development of your baby. Women with eating disorders are more likely to face serious issues such as: premature delivery, babies born underweight, miscarriage, depression, foetal death, gestational diabetes, heart or breathing problems, malnutrition and preeclampsia.

Imperial College London professor emeritus Philip Steer, MD, says that it is important for health care professionals to realize that women with a history of eating disorders may have more negative feelings associated with pregnancy and childbirth comparatively.

"Women with eating disorders are often very intelligent and successful, so providers could easily fail to recognize that they may need extra nurturing during pregnancy and even after giving birth," he says. "Research about eating disorders and infertility shows that an eating disorder history should be seen as a warning sign that a woman may face additional challenges associated with pregnancy."

With the mass amount of misleading information about eating disorders, it is common for these serious illnesses to be misunderstood, oversimplified, or greatly generalized. Men or women who struggle with an eating disorder have a serious mental illness with potentially life-threatening consequences. Understanding the implications of eating disorders can help in increasing the awareness about the same.