Transdermal estrogen for the treatment of bone loss in women with anorexia nervosa: a randomized, placebo controlled trial

Anorexia nervosa, a disorder that predominantly affects women, is characterized by extreme, self-induced weight loss and is associated with many medical complications including significant bone loss and an increased risk of fracture. Although most women with anorexia nervosa have low estrogen levels — which may be an important contributor to the bone loss – oral estrogen does not increase bone mineral density in adult women with anorexia nervosa. We are currently studying the effects of transdermal estrogen on bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture, bone marrow adipose tissue in women with anorexia nervosa in a randomized, placebo-controlled study.