Intermittent Fasting for Women

Intermittent fasting in general is safe for everyone to do, as long as they are an adult 
and don’t have major health complications. However, if you are a woman, you might 
want to think before you try it. While many women experience no negative side effects, 
there are some things to consider first. Here is what you should know about intermittent 
fasting as a woman.

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

First of all, it helps to know the benefits of intermittent fast, not just for women but for 
everyone. There are many reasons people try IF for health and weight loss. It can help 
increase your body’s fat burning potential, since the food you eat is burned rather 
quickly during your fasted state, after which you start burning fat. Because of this, it can 
also help to increase your energy and cognitive function. Some people notice a 
reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as more balanced blood sugar 
levels.

Hormonal Changes

While there are a few different side effects of doing intermittent fasting, the hormonal 
changes women sometimes experience tend to be the most worrisome. Many women 
can do IF and not have any issues, but those who do show signs of hormonal changes, 
might need to consult their doctor and possibly switch protocols or stop intermittent 
fasting altogether. 

The hormonal imbalance is often from not doing intermittent fasting correctly, which is 
good news. It means as long as you follow your protocol, there is a good chance you 
won’t have these problems. If your body senses starvation by going too long without 
food, your hormones may increase, thus creating an imbalance. This is why it is 
important to only stick to the number of hours you are meant to fast, and not go over it 
by too much.

Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance

Make sure you are paying close attention to your body when you do intermittent fasting, 
so that you know if and when you have hormonal changes. Some signs of having a 
hormonal imbalance include bloating, irregular periods or bleeding in the middle of your 
cycle, fatigue, and even depression.  If this is happening to you, talk to a doctor and let 
them know you have started intermittent fasting. They might recommend either stopping 
it completely, or switching up your protocol or diet. Your health should be top priority, so 
don’t ignore those hormonal balance symptoms.

