[stmml]

So, my sister thinks she might have PCOS (polycystic ovaries), and she seems to be blaming it on her several month eating disorder episode. She thinks she made herself sterile. That doesn't make any sense, and I don't see how that could be possible. I looked up the consequences of eating disorders, and I saw a lot of cardiac, etc symptoms, but nothing reproductive. With that aside, I KNOW it already runs in the family. My grandmother had it, and my aunt has it. I just don't want her to feel guilty when she doesn't need to. She doesn't need another thing to be upset about.

[emma_]

Hi,

I have PCOS too and have never heard anything about it being connected to my eating disorder..

[Sam2]

Originally Posted by stmml

So, my sister thinks she might have PCOS (polycystic ovaries), and she seems to be blaming it on her several month eating disorder episode. She thinks she made herself sterile. That doesn't make any sense, and I don't see how that could be possible. I looked up the consequences of eating disorders, and I saw a lot of cardiac, etc symptoms, but nothing reproductive. With that aside, I KNOW it already runs in the family. My grandmother had it, and my aunt has it. I just don't want her to feel guilty when she doesn't need to. She doesn't need another thing to be upset about.

I don't know about it causing polycystic ovaries, but anorexia can definately cause some reproductive problems. You've seen the top female gymnists. The ones with little boy bodies. They are put on very strick diets because developing hips and breasts changes their center of balance. They also stop menstrating.

Part of your estrogen comes from fat, normal wieght fat, and if you are too thin, it screws up your development. Anorexia can effect every part of the body. Hair loss, infections, poor body development et. etc.

I wouldn't think that a few months of starving yourself would cause all that, but eating disorders RARELY stop on their own. It could be that your sister still has an eating disorder, and if so, needs help. She shouldn't feel guilty though. That just makes things worse. Has she confided in her Dr. about the several months she was having a problem? Her OBGYN should be able to answer that question for her.

Sam2