Ryzophagia secondary to PCOS -related menorrhagia
Tan, Y.L.; Voon, H.Y.; Ngeh, N.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 73(3): 170-171
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 29962501 Document Number: 697053
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.