Eating disorders and fertility

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Eating disorders and fertility
4
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 12:27pm
I have a question that I'm hoping some of you ladies can help me with. Can eating disorders ever affect a woman's fertility? I really want to have a baby someday. (I think that my boyfriend and I are going to get engaged soon, but I need to finish grad school and I want to actually be married before I start trying to conceive. I also want my eating problems to be under control for obvious reasons.) Anyway, I'm worried that I might have messed up my chances of having a baby someday because of my problems with eating disorders. I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I really want to know. :-( Thank you!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2006
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 6:51pm

Hey perfectpony!


This is a subject very very dear to my heart. Depending on your situation and health, the outcome can be different for everyone. From what I understand, the longer you are without a period

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 9:48pm

I wish my story had a happy ending like Catherine's, but it doesn't. I was FORTUNATE that my ED began late in life and I have been blessed with 3 beautiful children. In 2001, I got pregnant with baby #3 and had a normal pregnancy and delivery. I began restricting around 2003 and because of pregnancy and breastfeeding, my last period was in September of 2001. It has never returned. We are talking that it has been gone for almost 6 years! I never thought I would say this, but I so long for it to return. Not even so much for fertility, since we have 3 kids already, but for the benefit of feeling womanly and all the health benefits - reduced bone loss, etc. Thanks to my ED I suffer already from osteporosis and have to take medicine for it. I dont' know where you are in terms of recovery, but I encourage you to use this desire for children to help you recover. My doctor believes my period will never return. I have damaged my body too much. Please don't do the same thing to yours. I have such regrets...

Ilse

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 11:04pm
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I know that it can be difficult to share very personal things like that, and I appreciate that you were willing to answer my questions about eating disorders and fertility in such a meaningful, personal way. :-) I feel like I have a much better understanding of how eating disorders can affect fertility now. Thank you so much. :-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2005
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 1:35pm

Hi there (((perfectpony)))

 

 

~Diana~