Women With Bulimia at Increased Risk of Miscarriage and Abortion

Bulimia increases miscarriage or abortion risk in women, a latest study suggests.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging, or consuming a large amount of food in a short periods of time followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed by vomiting, taking a laxative or excessive exercise on excess weight gain concerns.

The study of over 11,000 women showed that the eating disorder can hamper reproduction in females. These women had a three times higher risk of experiencing a miscarriage.

"Early recognition, effective care and sufficiently long follow-up periods for eating disorders are crucial in the prevention of reproductive health problems," researcher Milla Linna from the University of Helsinki, Hjelt Institute said in a press release.

The researchers at the University of Helsinki and National Institute for health and Welfare conducted a 15-year register-based study. They examined the reproductive health of women. They divided the respondents into two groups, first group comprised of Bulimia patients while the second cohort was the control group.

"This study does not provide an explanation for the reproductive health problems observed in women with eating disorders. Based on previous research, however, it seems likely that the problems can at least partially be attributed to the eating disorder. Both being underweight and obese are known to be associated with the increased risk of infertility and miscarriage. Eating disorders also often involve menstrual irregularities or the absence of menstruation, which may lead to neglecting contraception and ultimately to unwanted pregnancies," Linna said.

The study also found that the number of bulimia cases was on the rise among women in Western countries. According to the researchers nearly five to 10 percent women in developed countries suffered from bulimia at some stage in their lives.

The study was published in the 'Journal of Eating Disorders.'