CHANGES IN ULTRASOUND APPEARANCE OF THE INTERNAL FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS DURING TREATMENT FOR EATING DISORDERS

Objective: To confirm that changes of the internal female genital orga ns in patients with eating disorders can be detected with ultrasound a nd that successive normalization can be followed during treatment. Stu dy design: Thirty-five women with the diagnoses of eating disorders we re examined with ultrasound while undergoing psychiatric treatment. Th e endometrial thickness and ovarian volume were measured. The sonograp hic picture of the ovaries was classified in four classes. Results: Bu limics had changes of their ovaries in spite being of normal weight. A fter psychiatric treatment and a normal diet, the ovaries and the blee ding pattern normalized without a change in body weight. In anorectics , undetectable ovaries or ovaries without follicles were associated wi th low body mass index (BMI), but multifollicular ovaries or presence of a dominant follicle and ovarian volume had no clear relation to BMI . The endometrial thickness correlated with BMI. Conclusion: Ovarian m orphology appeared more important than ovarian size. Changes of the ov aries appeared more related to eating patterns than to BMI. Eating dis orders should be considered in women with bleeding disorders. Ultrasou nd examination can contribute to the differential diagnosis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.