Nov. 04--GARLAND, TEXAS --
The signs of anorexia nervosa are hard to miss and now researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine finds that anorexic women are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies.
Of the 62 women who took part in the study said they were anorexic--half reported unplanned pregancies.
Dr. Richard Salter is an OB/GYN at Baylor-Garland and sees women all the time who thought they couldn't get pregnant.
"Anorexia patients do not have regular cycles and so they really can't tell if they are ovulating or not," Dr. Salter said. "By not being able to tell if they are ovulating and not having their regular cycles then they are at risk of these unwanted pregnancies."
Amber Knowlton weighs 98 pounds and is four months pregnant.
"Just being so thin and tall at the same time people were like do you ever eat?"
Amber adds that she does eat and she's not anorexic--but understands how some women might be unaware that they can get pregnant.
"I could definitely see that because just because you're not having a cycle doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, they probably have issues with their bodies and are not as aware of what's going on seeing a doctor regularly," Amber said.
Dr. Salter said the difference between an anorexic woman and Amber is her diet.
"Amber is eating healthy and by eating healthy and taking good care of herself--even though she is very thin and she has a small frame--she is probably getting close to 22% to 23% body fat."
Dr. Salter adds that women need the right amount of body fat to have regular cycles.
Researchers advise doctors who treat women for eating disorders--especially adolescent girls--to talk about contraception.
Dr. Salter agrees.
"We have to tell them if you're not using some type of contraception," Dr. Salter said. "You need to be."
Unlike Amber--some women have a misconception about conception.
"I think a lot of people think that if you don't have a cycle, I can't get pregnant," Amber said.
Researchers also found that women with anorexia nervosa were also more likely to have induced abortions.
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