Intermittent fasting is incredibly popular right now – and for good reason.
It has some remarkable (and highly sought-after) benefits including weight loss and improved energy.
And due to its recent rise in popularity, many women are wondering how intermittent fasting could affect their fertility.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
We naturally fast while we sleep every night. But typically, intermittent fasting means you’ll fast for a little longer – around 14-16 hours per day instead.
You’ll still eat about the same amount, but it’s packed into a smaller window of time.
And surprisingly, this can come with some incredible health benefits.
What Are the Benefits of Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting has become well-known for the ways it can boost your health. These benefits may include:
- Weight loss
- Improved energy
- Better digestion
- Improved healing and rest for the body
These all seem great. After all, who doesn’t want better weight loss and more energy?
But, if you’re like many women, you can’t help but wonder if eating for a smaller window of time everyday could impact your fertility.
How Does Intermittent Fasting Affect Fertility?
Research has shown that intermittent fasting may affect hormonal balance for some women.
However, these effects are likely to be more harmful when you’re doing more intense fasting. (This could mean eating for only a six-hour window instead of the typical eight hours.)
And although intermittent fasting may be useful for its variety of benefits, we strongly suggest not to intermittent fast while pregnant.
The Bottom Line on Intermittent Fasting and Fertility
Intermittent fasting may have plenty of health benefits – but keep an eye on how it affects your cycle and hormones.
It’s important to realize that extreme intermittent fasting can have a more dramatic effect on your hormones. So, if you’re trying to keep a healthy hormonal balance, don’t make your eating window too short.
If you have more questions about intermittent fasting and how it relates to fertility, feel free to get in touch with us. We’ll point you in the direction of resources that can help.
To learn about the foundational steps to supporting fertility natural, take our Free Fertility Foundations Course.
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Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Birth Doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
