Who should be careful or avoid intermittent fasting?

Fasting is certainly not for everyone. If you’re underweight or have a history of eating disorders, you should not fast without speaking with your doctor first.

Should females fast?

Some evidence shows that IF may not be as beneficial for females.

There are a number of anecdotal reports of females whose menstrual period stopped when they started doing IF and went back to usual when they resumed their previous eating pattern. This is likely because fasting can disrupt female hormones, affecting menstruation and overall health.

However, IF may be a useful tool for some people. Research has shown that it can help treat hyperandrogenism in people with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which could potentially affect their ovulation and fertility.

According to a 2023 research review, studies have shown that, for females who are an average weight, IF could harm reproductive health and performance if it causes insufficient calorie intake, especially in athletes.

Experts suggest that females take care with IF. Overall, the research is very limited, and there is a lack of long-term data. More research is needed before we can really understand the implications.

Females should follow separate guidelines, like easing into the practice and stopping immediately if they have any concerns like missing periods. If you are considering IF, it’s best to talk with a doctor or dietitian to determine whether it is right for you.