Is Intermittent Fasting Bad for Women’s Hormones?
Healthful Vitality | 11/11/2021 | Is Intermittent Fasting Bad for Women’s Hormones?
Intermittent fasting is one of the good ways to normalize metabolism, reduce calorie intake and reduce body weight. However, a highly restrictive diet may also deprive the body of vital nutrients. In addition, such a diet may weaken immunity and may influence the level of hormones.
It appears that females are especially prone and sensitive to hormonal changes. In some, even a minute change in hormone levels may create health issues.
When it comes to benefits, intermittent fasting is especially good for managing metabolic disorders. Thus, it is suitable for weight loss, hypertension, cardiovascular health, PCOS, diabetes prevention, and much more. However, in some intermittent fasting may also cause hormonal changes and health issues.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances to look for:
Perhaps the most common sign of hormonal imbalances could be changes in periods like heavy periods or irregular cycles. Although they are not a reason to worry, if such issues persist, one may need to get off the intermittent fasting or seek medical advice. Fortunately, in most cases, things would normalize in a couple of months. Further, adding green vegetables to diet like spinach and broccoli may help with some of these signs.
Osteoporosis is another risk of calorie restriction. Its risk is higher among postmenopausal women. Therefore, before making any dietary changes, it is essential to exclude such a health condition. Further, one may also increase dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D to prevent it. That is why it is essential to remember that one must consume low-calorie and yet nutrition-dense foods during intermittent fasting.
Changes, disorders, and imbalances
Dietary changes may also cause mood swings, fatigue and may reduce sexual desire. However, such changes should not continue for more than three months. If such symptoms do not subside after three months of dieting, one may need to make dietary changes or even increase calorie intake.
Females are also more prone to emotional disorders like anxiety. It is something worth knowing before making any dietary changes. Many women consume more food to counter their anxiety. Although food is not the best remedy for anxiety, it helps in many cases. In such cases, intermittent fasting may cause emotional issues. It may be good to have frequent low-calorie snacks like a slice of apple, green salad, berries, and other fruits in this situation.
Hormonal imbalances are also likely to cause changes in intestinal motility, thus causing constipation or diarrhea. However, intermittent fasting may not essentially make things worse. In some cases, it may instead help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel disease.
If there are symptoms like vaginal dryness, it may indicate hormonal problems, too. However, it may also indicate dehydration. Thus, one should never forget to stay hydrated when fasting.
To conclude, intermittent fasting may cause hormonal imbalances in some. However, these imbalances do not last long. They might be felt during the first couple of months as the body adjusts to the new lifestyle. But ultimately, intermittent fasting would have more significant benefits. It is more likely to normalize hormones than disrupt their balance. Nevertheless, individual differences exist.
Related Article: Is Intermittent Fasting Safe for Diabetics?