title: Identification and management of eating disorders in gynecology: menstrual health as an underutilized screening tool.
abstract: Eating disorders are life-threatening conditions that disproportionately affect females, often during child-bearing years. Although the endocrinological and reproductive sequelae of these conditions often fall within the treatment purview of obstetrician-gynecologists, the assessment of eating pathology is challenging and often not part of routine clinical care. This commentary focuses on one of the common presenting symptoms of eating disorders in women, menstrual dysfunction, and discusses considerations for its clinical management in gynecology. Assessment of menstrual status provides a natural starting point for provider-patient discussion of disordered eating and weight behavior. Routine screening for eating disorders is critical and must be universal given the serious long-term consequences of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI. Electronic address: Christina_boisseau@Brown.edu.
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Boisseau
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016742:Preconception Care
keywords: amenorrhea; anorexia; binge eating; bulimia; menstrual dysfunction