Eating disorders associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, a literature review

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common enigmatic, heterogenous endocrine disorder with multisystem consequences affecting women at reproductive age. Most associated dysfunctions in PCOS patients include ovarian dysmorphology, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disturbances, and neuropsychological impairments. Emerging studies have shown a relationship between women with PCOS and eating disorders (ED). ED is described as a psychological disorder characterized by extreme and constant disruptions in eating behaviors that can negatively impact one’s mental health and status. Types of EDs include binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED), and unspecified feeding and eating disorders (UFED). Understanding the clinical relevance of these associations and adding correct assessments of ED as a key determinant of eating behavior may contribute to the successful treatment of women with PCOS. Thus, this review aims to outline a more profound connection between the involvement of multiple eating disorders and related disordered eating in women with PCOS; it also establishes a wider overview regarding the prevalence of comorbidities in eating disorders. Furthermore, the majority of researchers advised that screening for eating disorders, PCOS phenotyping, and neuroimaging modalities can be utilized to provide a better health outcome in PCOS patients.