Megestrol Acetate for Eating Disorders

The present study illustrates that in all three major personality and clinical domains that were studied, the psychopathological profiles of EDNOS and PD patients differ from those of healthy controls. Further prospective research of the phenomenological profiles of these disorders in broader populations from which samples for research are obtained is necessary to refine the nosological profiles.

Eating disorders cannot be cured (nor can eating disorders be avoided or prevented) as there is no single underlying cause of these disorders. The term 'curing' is therefore misleading in relation to eating disorders, especially as this can result in self-harm, as well as other negative long-term healthcare consequences.

There is no single cause of eating disorders; rather there are several contributory factors including biological factors, familial factors, social and economic factors. Eating disorders occur in many different populations and many different ways, and most people with eating disorders don't engage in the risky behaviours that make them at increased risk for developing the disorder. It can be difficult to get people to disclose what may affect their mental health or their eating disorders.

The most common treatment of an eating disorder is medication. Many medications are used, but not all can be helpful in every individual. For the short term, medication is generally prescribed, although in some cases this can be risky, such as in people who have a past drug addiction. In the long term, counselling and support can be used in conjunction with medication to help people manage the condition better. Other treatment options include psychotherapies, such as behavior modification or cognitive therapy and family support.

Eating disordered behaviours can manifest throughout an individual's lifetime in the form of bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa. Common features of these eating disorders include an increased concern with shape, body image, and the need to control appetite and self-esteem. If someone has experienced a family history of eating disorders it is imperative that clinicians be aware of these symptoms and consider evaluating potential eating disorders.

Eating Disorders appear to disproportionately affect women, the elderly, the poorer and those of ethnic minorities. This suggests that the need to accurately and thoroughly diagnose, care for, and treat eating disorders can have important implications for public mental health in the United States.

In our large-scale study, megestrol acetate exhibited the lowest rate (2.24%) of side effects. Most of the side effects were mild. More than half of the patients (58.6%) discontinued a course due to side effects. The side effects observed most commonly with megestrol acetate were injection site pain (1.65%), joint pain (1.53%), endometrial changes such as endometrial hyperplasia (0.56%) and fibroids (0.37%), abdominal pain (0.36%), and diarrhea (0.32%).

MPA produces a marked increase in libido and a significant reduction in appetite in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. It appears to be a safe treatment, although its mechanism of action is not well researched.

Considering the results of this meta-analysis, megestrol acetate was more effective in reducing total symptom scores and enhancing the quality of life for women with abnormal uterine bleeding than either a non-nausea/pain placebo or a placebo with megestrol acetate, suggesting that it may be the preferred medication option for treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.

More than a third of individuals with eating disorders are younger than age 15. This underscores the continuing need for increased awareness of eating disorders among all clinicians and educators, particularly among those at higher risk for developing eating disorders and for those with eating disorders in their family histories.

The primary causes of eating disorders are mood, interpersonal or social issues, and biological in nature. There may still be other causes contributing. Further study is warranted to determine exactly what causes and precipitates those eating disorders. It is necessary to encourage patients to seek help and to learn how to manage their eating disorder if symptoms occur.