Q: Is it true that women lose fertility by being bulimic?
A: A woman has to maintain a certain level of body fat for her body’s systems to function normally. That normal function includes having regular menstrual cycles and periods. It is true that women who have anorexia and bulimia and who lose too much body weight will stop having menstrual cycles and periods. Their body is simply too weak to maintain that system.
In fact, there are many things that can disrupt or stop a girl’s menstrual cycle and periods. Excessive weight gain or weight loss can do it. Excessive exercise that results in a dramatic loss of body fat can also do it. Excessive stress can also do it. The good news is that this is usually reversible. If the woman regains a healthy amount of body fat (or reduces her body fat to a healthy level) her body will be able to manage her menstrual cycle again.