How Long Does It Take For Bulimia To Make You Infertile?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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for fertility problems. Women with AN + BN were more likely to take

over 6 months

to conceive. All ED groups experienced negative feelings upon pregnancy discovery and remained so at 18 months with AN group.

Can bulimia make you infertile?

Eating disorders and infertility both affect millions of people, but that’s not the only link they share. Having an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia,

can make it more difficult to conceive

. Unfortunately, patients can still experience fertility issues, even after receiving treatment for an eating disorder.

Does bulimia affect male fertility?

Eating disorders can cause lasting damage to the body and

may result in infertility in men

. Often, eating disorders are only associated with women, but men account for about 5-15% of anorexia and bulimia cases and 35% of binge eating disorder cases.

Can bulimia affect males?

It is estimated that 40% of those with

binge eating disorder are men

. Men who struggle with binge eating disorder may go on to develop bulimia if purging is used to cope with the fear of weight gain associated with the binge eating behavior.

Can starving yourself make you infertile?

Richard Palmiter and Stephanie Padilla of the University of Washington School of Medicine led the new study. It has long been known that during times of famine,

women suffering from malnutrition become infertile

, as will women with very low levels of body fat, such as extreme athletes.

Does bulimia change your face?


Face swelling

is one of the Bulimia effects sufferers find most distressing: sometimes described as ‘Bulimia face,’ the swelling can make people feel their face ‘looks fat’. What is taking place is the body’s reaction to self-induced vomiting and the dehydration it causes.

Do bulimics lose weight?

Not everyone with bulimia is ultra-thin. Anorexia causes a large calorie deficit, leading to extreme weight loss. People with bulimia can experience episodes of anorexia, but they still tend to consume more calories overall through bingeing and purging.

How do you counter bulimia?

  1. Decide not to restrict food or calories. …
  2. Practice mindfulness. …
  3. Develop a plan for when urges to binge or purge hit. …
  4. Agree to delay binge eating or purging. …
  5. Write a letter to yourself. …
  6. Make a list of positive affirmations. …
  7. Identify the thoughts that typically precipitate a binge or purge.

What causes purging in men?

Purging can occur through

forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or by taking laxatives or diuretics

. People with bulimia purge, or display purge behaviors, and follow a binge-and-purge cycle. Purge behaviors also include other strict methods to maintain weight like fasting, exercise, or extreme dieting.

What are the side effects of binging and purging?

The cycle of bingeing and purging takes a toll on your body. It

can cause damage to everything from your heart and digestive system to your teeth and gums

. It can create other problems as well, including: Dehydration.

How do I know if I am infertile?

  • Abnormal periods. Bleeding is heavier or lighter than usual.
  • Irregular periods. The number of days in between each period varies each month.
  • No periods. You have never had a period, or periods suddenly stop.
  • Painful periods. Back pain, pelvic pain, and cramping may happen.

Can anorexics have babies?

As previously discussed, women with

anorexia nervosa do become pregnant

and are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies. It may be that menstruation absence or irregularity leads women with anorexia nervosa to believe that they are infertile when at a low weight, and that conception is unlikely or impossible.

What is orthorexia?

Orthorexia is

an eating disorder characterized by having an unsafe obsession with healthy food

. An obsession with healthy dieting and consuming only “pure foods” or “clean eating” becomes deeply rooted in the individual’s way of thinking to the point that it interferes with their daily life.

How long can you survive with bulimia?


Roughly 50% of women will recover from bulimia within ten years of their diagnosis

, but an estimated 30% of these women will experience a relapse of the disorder. These behaviors can wreak havoc on the body both in the short-term and the long-term.

What are three warning signs of bulimia?

  • Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight.
  • Living in fear of gaining weight.
  • Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting.
  • Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can’t stop eating or can’t control what you eat.

Can your heart recover from bulimia?

Cardiovascular complications contribute to a significant portion of this risk. The hearts of patients with eating disorders may be atrophied, most commonly due to reduced blood volume and negative energy balance.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.