So I’ve done low carb and mostly keto before but this time I’m really sticking to it. On my highest carb days(my weekend indulgence with the husband) im still staying under 100g net carbs. I’ve been feeling great while handling the keto flu. There have been so many benefits i won’t send ask the time writing it. I’ve also struggled with cystic ovaries and all The terribles of BCP And a good nightmare run with a non estrogen copper iud. So here i am… the first real period on keto. Last night i woke up in full on cramping as my period was starting yesterday afternoon. These cramps were intense!!! I generally have a pattern of starting first thing when i wake up, but this cycle it was in the middle of the night and the cramping was bad enough i had to get out of bed and pop some ibuprofen. Much worse than the past few months periods. So I’ve read about fat loss and it effecting estrogen levels, mood, cravings etc. I’ve noticed the mood change, the water retention and the seemingly futile persuit for satiety the past few days. So i chalk em up as part of the process. The flow is dramatically more than I’ve had in a very long time. My question is… does anyone have any advice on how they best handle these first few cycles as they get adapted? Anyone know how to handle the cramps better more naturally? The ibuprofen certainly helped but i try not to take nsaids much of i can help it. Any advice would help be it diet changes or palliative care. I’ve read that it can last much longer as well and this is very poor timing as in road tripping to montana for a wedding this coming Thursday. Any tricks you ladies have out there to help me out?
1st menstrual cycle in committed keto. Anybody have advice?
In honesty, if you’re having 100g net carbs every weekend then it’s not likely you’re properly in ketosis anyway so the problems may not be keto related.
Check out https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-keto-diet-podcast/id1059573987?mt=2
Leanne looks at the diet from a women’s view point and has a lot of good stuff for both men and women. She has a book that could help with what you are going through. Seeing that I’m a man that’s all I have on the subject. Wish you well
When i say 100g… it’s more carbs (than 20-30g day normal) by having a piece of sourdough or a couple of glasses of cabernet wine… and its only 1 day… the day before a chest or leg morning at the gym. Nothing excessive. 4 days out of 30. So i have a hard time thinking that’s the issue. Leaning more on stored fat and the 15lbs I’ve lost this month. I’m 37, 5’7" and started at about 165 and weighed 148 before the water retention and girl biz. Not a ton of weight to lose given my muscle mass and larger frame. Even on those days after the “indulgence” ketostix still promising after a good work out.
Carbs are carbs regardless of the form they’re in, and that one day is enough to kick someone out of ketosis for several days, moreso if you’re not properly adapted.
Thanks. I have an android but can get on my old MacBook later today. It looks like a plethora of advice on there… So thank you very much!
I think LCHF/keto can be like pushing a massive reset button for your body. It can take months for your hormones to settle into a new normal, and you’ll likely have your ups and downs in the process.
Electrolytes can make a huge difference with symptoms. Calcium helps with mood, magnesium with cramps. Enjoy your cheese, nuts, seeds and oily fish and consider taking a magnesium supplement for good measure. Epsom salt baths are great for relaxing plus you absorb some magnesium through your skin. And if you still find yourself struggling, I’d say there’s no shame in popping a few ibuprofen to get through the worst of the cramps. 
You are welcome. Look her up on line as well. A few other pod cast are jimmy Moore ( he has 2 pod cast) and Drew Manning from fit2fat2fit. They look at the diet from different perspective and have some great guest on their show
Especially Episode 42! Such great info for this exact problem. Just downloaded myflo app myself!!
In other news:
I have a very heavy painful period. I have had the copper IUD for about 6 or 7 years (it’s my second), and I’ve always had intense periods. I was put on BC when I was 14 to help control and that has obviously screwed me up real bad lol
My periods on keto have been getting better and better. I had 4 before my vacation. Each one was less severe and was a little shorter. However, I just got back from a 2 week vacation of indulgence and my period is INTENSE. Very heavy, pretty painful. But I’ve honestly had worse lol It’s STILL better than it was pre-keto.
In terms of pain, I use a very hot bath, a heating pad, and light exercise. Mostly a bath haha
Before I started though, I was popping ibuprofen like candy. I found each period got less intense and my last two before vacation, I didn’t take ANY painkillers at all.
KCKO, basically lol
I started my keto diet on Monday my period started Thursday now normally I have 1day of really bad cramps where I can not get out of bed it’s my 4th day now and it’s been horrendous the pain is like nothing I have ever experienced before , codein isn’t touching it ! Everytime I move it gushes out I’ve gone through 2 packs of towels .
I am not on any BC I do have pcos and endometriosis I also think I’ve had keto flu also …I’ve lost 6 pound which is the only bonus but that’s due to know appetite and feeling nauseous all the time .
I’m thinking of giving it up but then I don’t want to of gone through all this for nothing I’m having a dilemma pls help
It will get better, stick with it. The first few months your body will be balancing out hormones which makes things a bit whacky, but it gets better I promise.
I’m on 5th day now still really heavy and terrible pains in my leg…I’ll give it few more days