Menopause is a natural process that every woman experiences. The average age of menopause is 51. It’s classified as the time when a woman goes through 12 months without having a menstrual period at all. Perimenopause generally starts earlier, often in a woman’s mid to late 40s. This is when a woman’s transition to menopause starts.
As a woman goes into menopause, the production of certain hormones declines. This includes estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones play a crucial role in the release of eggs during ovulation. Once a woman reaches menopause, she no longer menstruates, and her ovaries also do not release eggs anymore.
Could intermittent fasting and menopause have a positive connection? Let’s take a look at menopause and how intermittent fasting may reduce some symptoms.
Signs of Menopause
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Sleep disruptions
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Hot flashes
These are the most common symptoms of menopause, but there are many others. Blood tests are sometimes done to measure your hormone levels. However, they are often not considered essential to diagnose perimenopause in women over 45. Age, cessation of periods, and the symptoms a woman experiences are often used to make a diagnosis.
Some women find that they gain weight while going through perimenopause and post-menopause.
Of course, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help mitigate some of these symptoms, but not all of them. Sometimes additional medications are required to help women move through this, at times, physically uncomfortable time. Again, speak with your doctor or a knowledgeable person who deals with women and hormones to help you manage your menopause symptoms.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
To understand intermittent fasting, we should first examine the concept of fasting. Many people are familiar with certain religious days that require some form of fasting. That means no intake of food or beverages. This type of fasting is not related to the discussion here. We are looking at a strategic approach to eating and fasting.
Fasting leads to lower glucose levels. In response, the body breaks down fat, and the liver then converts it into ketone bodies, also known as ketones. The ketones then become the body’s primary source of energy, rather than glucose. These ketones are a type of chemical produced by the liver when it breaks down fat. The body uses ketones as an energy source during fasting and exercise. This shift from Glucose to ketones changes body chemistry in healthy ways.
There are various intermittent fasting schedules, but all fasting schedules involve abstaining from food and beverages during specific hours of the day.
Types of intermittent fasting strategies:
- 16/8: eight hours of normal eating, 16 hours of fasting
- 12/12: 12 hours of normal eating and 12 hours of fasting
- 18/6: six hours of normal eating and 18 hours of fasting
- 5/2: 5 days of normal eating and two days of eating one meal a day at 500-600 calories per meal
- Alternate fasting days: one day you eat regularly, and the next day you fast
It should be noted that when doing intermittent fasting, eating periods should include healthy items and a rational portion size —binge eating is not part of this process.
Additionally, intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone’s body: a young child, a pregnant woman, a mother who is breastfeeding, some people with diabetes and blood sugar issues, some who are taking certain medications or those with a history of eating disorders. Regarding medication, a fasting plan can be developed that does not interfere with medication.
Intermittent Fasting and Menopause: Does it Help?
The symptoms of menopause can be challenging to manage. But intermittent fasting has been shown to help reduce some of these symptoms and can help address some of the medical issues that result from menopause. In fact, menopause and intermittent fasting are often discussed together due to the potential benefits of fasting.
Intermittent fasting can help a woman lose that menopausal weight. It can help increase insulin sensitivity, which enables your body to process sugar and carbohydrates more effectively and may reduce your risk of certain metabolic diseases. It can promote the quality of sleep in as little as one week.
According to a study on the role of therapeutic fasting in women’s health, middle-aged women susceptible to metabolic health disorders benefit significantly from intermittent fasting.
Research has shown that fasting reduces inflammation associated with musculoskeletal health, a major contributing factor to musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis and related fractures. Fasting potentially slows the progression of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Many research studies on intermittent fasting and menopause primarily focus on weight loss. It’s not just about intermittent fasting and menopause weight loss. Intermittent fasting is also beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease.
There may also be a potential positive connection between intermittent fasting and menopause hormones. Losing weight may help to improve overall hormonal balance, which is useful as natural levels of estrogen and progesterone continue to decline. Research has also shown intermittent fasting can have a beneficial impact on insulin sensitivity.
What Can Androgenix Help With?
At Androgenix, our staff can help you get a better understanding of your body and health. We can help identify symptoms of menopause and provide you with access to the necessary tests to confirm a diagnosis. Our experts are experienced in creating highly personalized treatment programs, ensuring you receive a therapeutic plan tailored to your unique body.
Start your journey by reaching out and booking your first consultation.
