We’ve all heard of a disease called anorexia – an eating disorder causing people to obsess about weight and what they eat. This particular disorder is characterised by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight.
But recently, the healthcare experts are sounding an alarm on another health hazard that sort of rhymes with anorexia: it’s menorexia.
What is Menorexia?
The word “menorexia” comes from combining “meno,” referring to menstruation, and “anorexia,” the clinical eating disorder marked by extreme food restriction. In other words, it describes those who are undernourished or dieting in such a way that their reproductive system “shuts down.”
It is not yet a formally recognized medical diagnosis, but rather a descriptive label used by clinicians to refer to situations where eating restriction, extreme dieting, or disordered eating behaviors lead to suppression or loss of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
Medical literature and clinical reports suggest this overlaps heavily with anorexia nervosa or variants thereof, especially in the restrictive subtype. In anorexia, very low body weight and malnutrition can cause hormone changes that stop menstrual cycles.
Although this health hazard hasn’t been officially recognized in diagnostic manuals like DSM-5, watching out for the early signs of it is crucial, as menstrual suppression is not just a cosmetic issue: it can be a red flag for deep imbalances in hormones, bones, heart, and mental health.
Why it’s a serious health concern
Hormonal imbalance: When the body is starved or under constant stress from dieting, it reduces the production of reproductive hormones. This suppresses ovulation and menstruation. Over time, low estrogen levels can damage bone density, increase the risk of fractures, and cause long-term reproductive issues.
Bone health risk: Estrogen is essential to maintaining bone strength. Without it, women may lose bone mass faster, a risk especially high in younger women who should be building peak bone strength.
Metabolic and mental effects: Chronic restriction can lead to a slowed metabolism, fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, dry skin, electrolyte imbalance, and impaired cognition. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety frequently co-occur with severe eating behaviors.
Risks hidden by normal appearance: One of the most dangerous aspects is that many women with menorexia are not underweight. Their weight may appear healthy or only moderately low, so the menstrual loss can be mistakenly attributed to stress, PCOS, or other issues, delaying detection.
Early signs of Menorexia: What to watch for
Because menorexia often begins quietly, the early warning signs may be subtle. Here’s what doctors advise you to watch for:
Menstrual and reproductive indicators: Whether it’s irregular periods or complete cessation of menstruation for 3+ months, very light or sporadic bleeding when periods resume, one should take notes of these symptoms. Infertility or difficulty conceiving despite seemingly normal health can also be an indicator.
Behavioral and eating changes: Persistent dieting or skipping meals, rigid rules about “safe” and “forbidden” foods, obsession with calories, portions, and food labels, social withdrawal at meal times; avoiding eating with others, frequent excuses to skip dinners or outings involving food – all of them are signs of early-stage menorexia.
Physical and metabolic signs: Pay attention if you notice sudden or gradual weight loss (even if small), persistent fatigue, dizziness, or fainting spells. Feeling cold easily, even in warm settings, hair thinning, dry skin, brittle nails, gastrointestinal distress, bloating, or constipation can also be warning signs. Additionally, low heart rate, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, bone pain, or early fractures (an indicator of weakened bones) – all point in the same direction.
Psychological clues: Health clues are sometimes more psychological than physiological. Intense fear of weight gain or fatness, consistent bouts of body dissatisfaction, or distorted self-image are indicative of menorexia. Mood swings are normal occasionally; however, constant irritability or depression around meals aren’t. Pay attention if you or your loved one is going through something like that.
All these signs are red flags enough and call for a consultation with a professional healthcare provider. However, even if not all signs are present, a combination of menstrual disruption and eating behaviors should raise concern, and one should seek professional help.
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