Impact of Anorexia Nervosa on Fertility
Anorexia nervosa not only affects women’s menstrual cycles, but it also has long-term consequences on their reproductive system. Even after recovering from anorexia, individuals may still encounter difficulties with fertility due to disrupted communication between hormones and reproductive organs. Consequently, those who have previously suffered from anorexia have a heightened risk of experiencing miscarriages, obstetric complications, and postpartum depression. Research suggests that approximately 18% of women seeking infertility treatment have a history of eating disorders. Moreover, men with anorexia may also experience fertility issues caused by decreased levels of testosterone, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Death
Impact of Anorexia Nervosa on Life Expectancy and Mortality Rate
Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder that can have deadly consequences. Whether it is caused by starvation, cardiac disease, natural causes, or suicide, individuals who do not recover from anorexia nervosa face a high risk of premature death. Startling statistics reveal that women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa as teenagers have a life expectancy that is 25 years less than the average population.
Both men and women with anorexia nervosa have a mortality rate five times higher than those without an eating disorder. This eating disorder has the highest rate of completed suicides among all mental health disorders. It is estimated that 20 to 40% of anorexia-related deaths are a result of suicide, while the majority of deaths stem from the devastating damage that anorexia inflicts on the individual’s body.