pica and Menorrhagia

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Depressive Disorder; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Menorrhagia; Pica; Vomiting

We report the peculiar case of a patient who consumed raw rice daily and had iron-deficiency anaemia secondary to menorrhagia with underlying polycystic ovarian syndrome. A 32-year-old lady of Asian descent presented with symptoms of fatigue, lethargy and prolonged, irregular periods for the last two months. There was noticeable increase in body weight, male pattern alopecia and facial acne. In addition, she experienced sudden, unexplained predilection towards consumption of raw rice (up to 300- 400g/day). The patient was treated with oral iron and cyclical progestin. After three weeks, her haemoglobin improved and her ryzophagia subsided. Gynaecologists should be vigilant of pica, which can occur outside of the context of pregnancy and also poses potential health risks including tooth attrition, electrolyte imbalance, intestinal obstruction and poisoning.

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Female; Humans; Menorrhagia; Oryza; Pica; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Charcoal; Coffee; Craving; Female; Gasoline; Humans; Meat Products; Menorrhagia; Middle Aged; Olfaction Disorders; Paper; Pica; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Rain

Geophagia, eating of earth, is a relative frequent practice in several countries and especially in the African and South American mainlands. In some cases, migrant people continue this practice in the host country. Geophagia has some positive effects, presumed or real, and several harmful effects with significant health impacts. We relate the history of young patient of Cameroonian origin who consults for chonic fatigue, abdominal pain and menorrhagia. Laboratory tests show a severe aneamia with iron deficiency.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Cameroon; Fatigue; Female; Ferric Compounds; Hematinics; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Menorrhagia; Pica; Poverty; Risk Factors; Switzerland; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Aspirin; Carbonated Beverages; Female; Humans; Menorrhagia; Pica; Terminology as Topic