Is Intermittent Fasting Sabotaging Women's Hormones?

As women over 50, we experience various seasons of hormonal imbalance throughout our lives.

The first major imbalance occurs during puberty, when our bodies undergo significant changes. This can lead to symptoms like acne, weight gain, mood swings, and body changes. From puberty, we transition into our childbearing years, where we experience hormonal changes on a monthly basis due to our menstrual cycle. This can also be considered a season of imbalance.

Further hormonal imbalances occur during childbearing years, where some women may face challenges in conceiving, and pregnancy, as our bodies go through significant changes to support the growth of a baby. This is followed by postpartum and for some women the nursing years, which also involve hormonal fluctuations.

Perimenopause and menopause are two other seasons of hormonal imbalance for women. During perimenopause, our bodies go through hormonal changes as we transition into menopause. Symptoms of imbalance return like acne, weight gain, mood swings, irritability, hot flashes, and night sweats. Menopause is the process of going 12 months without a cycle, when we transition into post-menopause, which is the remainder of our life.

Achieving Hormonal Balance

If we think about wanting to be in hormonal balance, we are referring to periods in our lives as women when our hormones are relatively stable and not undergoing significant shifts or adjustments. That's usually pre-puberty and post-menopause.

However, many post-menopausal women are hesitant to incorporate intermittent fasting into their lives, fearing that it may disrupt their hormonal balance. It is important to understand which hormones we should be focusing on and whether intermittent fasting can actually help restore balance.

The Role of Insulin in Hormonal Imbalance

One hormone that is particularly responsive to hormonal changes, specifically the decrease in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause, is insulin. As estrogen levels drop, insulin levels tend to rise, leading to insulin resistance and potential weight gain.

Intermittent fasting can actually help regulate insulin levels and control insulin resistance. By giving our bodies a break from constant hormonal interruptions, fasting allows our bodies to regulate themselves and find a sense of balance. Fasting helps control insulin levels and can be particularly beneficial for those who are insulin resistant or have entered diabetic seasons.

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting provides our bodies with the opportunity to heal and balance themselves. When we enter a fasted state, typically after 12 hours of fasting, our insulin levels start to balance out. The longer we stay in a fasted state, the more our insulin levels can regulate and return to normal. This can lead to increased energy, weight loss, and overall improvements in our body's functioning.

Intermittent fasting allows our bodies to turn inward and feed off itself, balancing things out naturally. It provides an environment for our bodies to heal and regulate hormones on their own. By not interrupting our body's natural processes with constant food intake, we allow our hormones to find their own balance.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Intermittent Fasting

Many women may have fears about intermittent fasting, particularly during the post-menopausal stage of life. These fears often stem from the discomfort and dislike of the changes that come with post-menopause. However, when we take a step back and consider the benefits of intermittent fasting, we realize that it can actually help us achieve hormonal balance.

We should focus on the hormones that are most affected by intermittent fasting, such as estrogen, progesterone, and insulin. By understanding the changes our bodies go through and the benefits of intermittent fasting, we can make informed decisions about our health and well-being.

Throughout our lives as women, we experience various seasons of hormonal imbalance. From puberty to menopause, our bodies are constantly adjusting and adapting to hormonal changes. Intermittent fasting can actually help us achieve hormonal balance by allowing our bodies to regulate themselves and find a sense of equilibrium.

We should embrace the opportunities that intermittent fasting presents for our overall health and well-being. By taking control of our lives and making decisions that support our bodies' natural processes, we can live happier and healthier lives.