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2007-9-4 12:32:18 |
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Some women with the binge eating disorder bulimia may have a sex hormone imbalance, says a study by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, BBC News reported. Bulimia is normally regarded as a mental condition that's treated with psychological therapies such as counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy. The findings of this study suggest that some women with bulimia may have too much of the male hormone testosterone. In this study, half of the 21 bulimia patients treated for testosterone imbalance reported less hunger and reduced cravings for fatty, sugary foods, BBC News reported. Three of the patients no longer suffered from bulimia, which is characterized by compulsive overeating. The women in the study were treated with a contraceptive pill containing the female sex hormone estrogen. This treatment reduced testosterone levels in the women's bodies. Bulimia is about 10 times more common in women than in men. "Hormone treatment may very well be an alternative to cognitive behavioral treatment," Steve Bloomfield of the Eating Disorders Association told BBC News. However, it's likely that only a few women with bulimia would benefit from hormone treatment, Bloomfield added. |
