A 41-year-old member asked:
How much can anorexia decrease a woman's fertility after she's recovered?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Serena Chenanswered
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility 34 years experience
It may or may not: Anorexia often stops a women's periods. When you do not have your period, then you are not ovulating. Some women w/ anorexia will start having their periods again once their weight is normal, some will not. All women with a previous history should have a thorough evaluation by a fertility specialist to assess their ovarian function and their thyroid function.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Julian Escobaranswered
Specializes in Fertility Medicine
Depends: It depends on the severity. Some women recover from the anorexia/eating disorder and gain weight, but may never have periods again. Thus they would be "normal" from the anorexia point of view, but their fertility may remain subnormal and they may need assistance to conceive.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 28-year-old member asked:
Why does a woman's fertility decrease as she ages?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Victor Beshayanswered
Fertility Medicine 21 years experience
Eggs: All women are born with a finite number of eggs. As women go through life, there is a decrease in egg number. In addition, there is also a decrease in egg quality. Reduced egg quantity and egg quality are rsponsible for the reduced fertility as women go through life.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 7, 2015
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