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By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a committee opinion on the gynecologic care of adolescents and young women with eating disorders.
Among the recommendations and conclusions:
Young females with eating disorders may present with gynecologic issues, such as irregular menses, amenorrhea, pelvic pain, and atrophic vaginitis.
OB-GYNs should know the signs that call for immediate hospitalization for medical stabilization, including dehydration, electrolyte disturbance, and EKG abnormalities (for the complete list, see Box 2 in the committee opinion linked below).
Clinicians should not prescribe combination oral contraceptives to treat amenorrhea caused by eating disorders.
Regaining weight is the best remedy for low bone mineral density caused by eating disorders.
ACOG's statement also outlines the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders and offers the five-question SCOFF screening tool for anorexia and bulimia.
Comment
LINK(S):
ACOG committee opinion (Free)
Background: NEJM Journal Watch Psychiatry coverage of family therapy for anorexia (Your NEJM Journal Watch registration required)