Patterns of menstrual disturbance in eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To describe menstrual disturbance in eating disorders (ED).


METHODS
We describe menstrual history in 1,705 women and compare eating, weight, and psychopathological traits across menstrual groups.


RESULTS
Menstrual dysfunction occurred across all eating disorder subtypes. Individuals with normal menstrual history and primary amenorrhea reported the highest and lowest lifetime body mass index (BMI), respectively. Normal menstruation and oligomenorrhea groups reported greater binge eating, vomiting, and appetite suppressant use. Amenorrhea was associated with lower caloric intake and higher exercise. Harm avoidance, novelty seeking, perfectionism, and obsessionality discriminated among menstrual status groups. No differences in comorbid Axis I and II disorders were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Menstrual dysfunction is not limited to any eating disorder subtype. BMI, caloric intake, and exercise were strongly associated with menstrual function. Menstrual status is not associated with comorbidity. Menstrual irregularity is an associated feature of all ED rather than being restricted to AN only.
Poyastro Pinheiro
Andréa
A
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7160, USA.
Thornton
Laura M
LM
Plotonicov
Katherine H
KH
Tozzi
Federica
F
Klump
Kelly L
KL
Berrettini
Wade H
WH
Brandt
Harry
H
Crawford
Steven
S
Crow
Scott
S
Fichter
Manfred M
MM
Goldman
David
D
Halmi
Katherine A
KA
Johnson
Craig
C
Kaplan
Allan S
AS
Keel
Pamela
P
LaVia
Maria
M
Mitchell
James
J
Rotondo
Alessandro
A
Strober
Michael
M
Treasure
Janet
J
Woodside
D Blake
DB
Von Holle
Ann
A
Hamer
Robert
R
Kaye
Walter H
WH
Bulik
Cynthia M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D013223:Statistics as Topic