Could the Pill cure bulimia?

By FIONA MacRae, Science Reporter

Last updated at 22:00 07 January 2007


The Pill may hold the key to treating bulimia, research suggests.

It can be used to correct the hormonal imbalance which could be behind a third of cases of the condition, scientists have found.

Bulimia is the most common eating disorder, affecting up to two per cent of the population, with up to ten times as many women as men suffering from it.

• Pill health risk is five times higher for obese women

Those who have the condition typically alternate between bingeing on food and purging it from their body - either by making themselves sick or taking laxatives.

It can cause hair loss, loss of libido as well as potentially fatal heart and kidney problems.

Bulimia, traditionally thought to have a psychological basis, is treated with anti-depressants and therapy.

But research from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggests many cases may have a physical cause.

It showed women with the disorder had higher levels of the male sex hormone testosterone.

They also had lower than average levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen. Putting them on the Pill redressed the balance in many cases.

In three months, half the 21 bulimics taking an oestrogen-based contraceptive pill felt less hungry and craved fatty and sugary food less. Three completely overcame the disorder. Dr Sabine Naessen, who did the research, said: 'An oral contraceptive-may develop into a new strategy-for treatment of women with bulimia not responding to conventional treatment.'

It is thought that high levels of testosterone may make women more hungry than usual, driving their unhealthy obsession with food.

Dr Naessen said: 'We have shown that one third of female bulimics have metabolic disorders that may explain the occurrence of the eating disorder. These disorders may in certain cases express the hormonal constitution of the patient, rather than any mental illness.'

British experts welcomed the research, but stressed the importance of also addressing the psychological needs of sufferers.

Steve Bloomfield, of the Eating Disorders Association, said: 'The danger I would foresee is lots of people thinking this will cure bulimia in the way an aspirin may cure a headache.'

Dr Dee Dawson, of Rhodes Farm, a London clinic for children with eating disorders, said: 'An awful lot more research needs to be done before we rush to put everyone on the Pill, but any research into bulimia is welcome.'

The study comes amid growing concern that the glamorisation of stickthin celebrities is pushing vulnerable women into bulimia and anorexia.

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