Anorexia nervosa is often comorbid with vulvar vestibulitis.
Recently, a member of an idol group revealed that their partner suffers from anorexia nervosa, at one point becoming so thin that they weighed only 29 kilograms. According to my many years of clinical experience, the incidence of anorexia nervosa is approximately 1:3, or even 1:9, between males and females. Current literature suggests that while the exact cause is unknown, anorexia nervosa in women is often comorbid with vulvar pain.
Female patients typically develop the condition between the ages of 15 and 40. According to our clinic’s experience, almost all female cases are comorbid with vulvar vestibulitis. Although it is widely believed that anorexia nervosa should be treated from a psychological perspective, my medical practice has found that this approach has limited effectiveness. However, correct gynecological treatment has shown significant results.
Here are actual cases from our clinic in 2021:
Ms. Wu X. Wen, 47 years old, frequently felt hungry but was unable to eat any food and had no appetite. Consultations with family medicine and gastroenterology departments were ineffective. Upon examination at our clinic, she was found to have vulvar vestibulitis. After targeting the vulvar lesion with appropriate treatment, her troubling anorexia miraculously healed within a month.
Another case involved a 59-year-old woman who had been cured of stage three esophageal cancer three years prior. Suddenly, for several consecutive months, she experienced a severe loss of appetite and daily had a large amount of thick mucus in her throat, which, after being expelled, quickly reappeared, blocking her throat and affecting her eating. Examinations at a teaching hospital ruled out a recurrence of esophageal cancer. Consultations with ENT, gastroenterology, and neurology departments could not identify the cause, leaving the patient very distressed. Upon examination at our clinic, she was also diagnosed with vulvar vestibulitis. After treatment, she quickly recovered. Patient satisfaction: 10 points.
The earliest exposure to anorexia nervosa for many people was likely due to Karen Anne Carpenter, the sister in the famous Carpenters duo. She struggled with anorexia nervosa for many years, which ultimately led to her death. As a public figure, she was extremely sensitive about her weight, leading to excessive dieting and hospitalization. During two months of treatment at a New York hospital, she gained 30 pounds, but this rapid weight gain made her even more anxious. On February 4, 1983, Karen, aged 32, was found dead at her parents’ home. The autopsy report indicated that she died from complications related to anorexia nervosa.
Although my clinical experience may make it seem easy to address, anorexia nervosa is the psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate. Experts also consider it one of the most dangerous diseases affecting both men and women. Up to 10% of patients with anorexia nervosa die within about 10 years of onset, and up to 20% die within 20 years.
The premature death of patients with anorexia nervosa can be attributed to the following reasons:
• Heart problems
• Endocrine Disruption
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Refeeding Syndrome
• Suicide
Individuals who receive treatment but experience a relapse, as well as those with other health issues besides the risk of suicide, face an increased risk of complications.
Therefore, early and correct treatment can be helpful, making it crucial to find the right treatment plan. For example, compared to the general population, anorexia nervosa patients treated in outpatient clinics have twice the risk of premature death. When a patient is already seeking medical help, it indicates that their physical and mental state is in dire need of assistance. Respecting anorexia nervosa and doing our part to find the right plan and carefully following its recommendations can be a lifeline for the patient in a vast ocean.
