J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2002 Feb;9(1):65-71.
Anorexia nervosa and culture.
Simpson KJ.
Department of Nursing Studies, Adam Ferguson Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Anorexia nervosa is currently considered a disorder confined to Western culture. Its recent identification in non-Western societies and different subcultures within the Western world has provoked a theory that Western cultural ideals of slimness and beauty have infiltrated these societies. The biomedical definition of anorexia nervosa emphasizes fat-phobia in the presentation of anorexia nervosa. However, evidence exists that suggests anorexia nevosa can exist without the Western fear of fatness and that this culturally biased view of anorexia nervosa may obscure health care professionals' understanding of a patient's own cultural reasons for self-starvation, and even hinder their recovery.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is amenorrhoea?
- 2 What is oligomenorrhoea?
- 3 What are true and false amenorrhoea?
- 4 What is the difference between primary and secondary amenorrhoea?
- 5 Our daughter has not started her periods yet. When should we seek medical advice?
- 6 My periods have stopped. When should I seek medical advise?
- 7 My periods have stopped. How can the cause be determined?
- 8 Can generalised ill health result cause periods to stop?
- 9 I am a keen sportswoman. Could this stop my periods?
- 10 What is hyperprolactinaemia?
- 11 Which investigations are particularly helpful in finding the cause for the cessation of my periods?
- 12 What is karyotyping?
- 13 What is Turner Syndrome?
- 14 What is the testicular feminisation syndrome?
- 15 What is the resistant ovary syndrome?
- 16 What are autoantibodies?
- 17 What is premature ovarian failure (premature menopause)
- 18 What uterine abnormalities may cause amenorrhoea?
- 19 What is Asherman's syndrome?
- 20 What are the late effects of prolonged amenorrhoea?
- 21 How can my amenorrhoea be treated?
- 22 What are the risks and benefits of hormone replacement when used for premature menopause?
- 23 My periods are coming infrequently (oligomenorrhoea). What is likely to be the causes?
- 24 How are infrequent periods investigated?
- 25 How can oligomenorrhoea be treated?
- 26 If my periods are absent or infrequent, do I need contraception?
- 27 Where can I obtain more information?
- 28 Support Groups.
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.














