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ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EDs in women seeking treatment for infertility, and to better characterize their clinical profile.Study designSixty participants completed self-report measures that assessed EDs, desire for a child, body preoccupations, quality of life, anxiety and depression.ResultsTen patients (17%) met criteria for a past or current ED. We showed a significant association between greater body dissatisfaction and a more ambivalent desire for a child. Furthermore, an ED was associated with (i) a lower quality of life, and (ii) more anxiety disorders.ConclusionScreening for a history of ED in infertile women is recommended to plan for adapted care regarding infertility but also regarding ED and psychiatric comorbidities. Therefore, the assessment has to take into account the desire for a child and the body satisfaction, that are essential parts of the ED process on the one hand and infertility process on the other. This could help with the infertility treatment and the prevention of negative maternal and fetal outcomes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the post-menopausal woman. The natural menopause does not appear to be an independent risk factor (or a minor one) for coronary heart disease. Obesity, more precisely excessive intra-abdominal fat, is a cardiovascular risk factor especially with regard to the metabolic risk factors associated with this type of obesity. There is a progressive increase in weight gain at the age of menopause but this weight gain is related to ageing independent of whether women are post-menopausal or not, or treated with oestrogens or not. At the same time, there is a central redistribution of fat with a decrease in gluteo--femoral fat and an increase in intra-abdominal fat with an associated muscle mass loss. This trend to central obesity obviously favours an increased cardiovascular risk. With regard to weight gain, these changes in body composition are related to ageing. Different factors (e.g., diet, physical activity, GH secretion, etc.) may be involved. Are these changes related to menopause? Can hormonal replacement therapy prevent them? The results of the studies in this field are not consistent and these questions remain under debate.

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