Ladies: Fasting & Menstruation

health
(Danielle) #1

Hello Ladies (and men with lady friends),
Keto has greatly improved my monthly aunt flo. Managing hormones will do that. My question is: when is the best time to plan a fast around the monthly visitor? Since I am now VERY regular, if I wanted to plan a fast around that time, what would give me the best hormonal “bang for my buck” (IE:stimulating autophagy)?. And since hormones are already involved, what would be the best timing (if any)?

Speculating: Since PMS usually includes an uptick in cravings; would feasting for this time (usually 2-3 days before menstruation) be the best?

If someone has anecdotal or a scientific blurb that might help; I’d love to hear it.

(Ashley Haddock) #2

For me personally I try to plan it for the time of the month I’m least hungry. For me that’s usually the week right after my period.

(Jenn Monaghan) #3

I have no trouble fasting anytime except those few days before my period starts. I just did a 48 water only fast this weekend without getting hungry once, but today I felt like I should try to eat a whole pig. My period is due in 3 days.

(Kudos2Keto) #4

Old thread, but for anyone searching the threads…

I, too, find IF and 5:2 a breeze the two weeks following my period but the 3-4 day prior to my period I need more calories than I can fit in my window. Last night, I broke my IF (18:6) streak at 25 days because I was too hungry to sleep (not a problem I experience any time except the week before my period).

I am guessing it is a calorie thing or metabolic thing, as I know some keto gals that need a carb up (from 20 net -50 net carbs) those days before getting their period. I have done that the last few months and it improved symptoms (with the exception of water retention) for me too.

I have not seen any science on it, but I am looking too.

(CJ Young) #5

Yeah, this is my first cycle on Keto. I started Keto right at the end of my last period so I’m a good 3-4 weeks in but I just got really hungry for the first time since I started Keto. Ravenously so.

It’s good to hear that’s the experience of other ladies as well.