Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1973

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Dieting, anorexia nervosa and amenorrhoea after oral contraceptive treatment.

AUTHORS

Fries H; Nillius SJ

SOURCE

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 49(6): 669-679. 1973.

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the role of psychological factors and weight reduction, especially reduction

due to dieting, in the etiology of amenorrhea after oral contraceptive treatment. Subjects were 75 women, aged 17-30

years, with 6-49 months of amenorrhea after oral contraceptive use. No organic cause of the amenorrhea was found

by endocrinological study. All of the women participated in a standardized psychiatric interview preceded by

psychological testing. Eating habits and weight change were especially studied. 2 personality questionnaires were

used: form B of the Eysenc K Personality Inventory (EPI) and the Marke-Nyman Temperament Scale (MNT). Weight

gain reported by 45 women occurred mostly during the first 6 months of medication. Only 11 gained more that 5kg.

Weight gain was the reason for discontinuing treatment in 5. Deliberate dieting during treatment was admitted by 34.

The average weight loss through dieting was 9.3 kg. A significant difference between weights before and after

treatment was noted in 34 women (p < .001). At least 8 women developed a neurotic fixation on dieting which was

present at the onset of amenorrhes. Of these 6 developed an anorectic behavior. Personality testing done by means

of the EPI and MNT test of 73 women revealed no significant difference between those dieting and those not dieting

(p > .05). A case history illustrates an uncomplicated and reversible form of amenorrhea which occured early during

dieting for cosmetic reasons plus slight psychologic stress and change of environment. Another case history is that

of a patient who developed an anorectic behavior on the basis of an emotional conflict and depression. She

recovered after psychiatric treatment although the amenorrhea persisted. In a third case history the patient is

described as a fully developed case of anorexia nervosa with loss of insight during extreme self starvation.

Anticipation of weight gain may often initiate extra attention to weight and looks and induce dieting behavior. In this

study a majority of women with amenorrhea were underweight. Of the 75 women 4 received a diagnosis of primary

anorexia nervosa. There was no evidence that side effects of the pill initiated their dieting behavior. Initial stages of

anorexic behavior can be recognized by an alert gynecologist when seeing a patient with amenorrhea. Stressful life

events, changes of environment, and psychiatric illness may also be present. Previous menstrual irregularity has

been considered a predispasing factor. The results of this study indicate that several interacting etilogical factors in

combination with oral contraceptives may be the cause of amenorrhea. Weight reduction due to dieting is thought to

be important. (PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT8T 537-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Dieting, anorexia nervosa and amenorrhoea after oral

contraceptive treatment.", is(are) Fries H; Nillius SJ. The source of this article is "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

49(6): 669-679. 1973.". This article was published in 1973 in English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID:

CONT8T 537-06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 35537

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