Intermittent fasting could regulate hormones in PCOS

He Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) It is a complex reality for many women, marked by an excess of androgens (such as testosterone) that results in acne, facial hair, body hair and even difficulties conceiving. Although contraceptives are often the standard response, their side effects on mood or libido cause many to seek alternatives.

Research led by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and published this March in the journal Nature Medicinebrings good news: the intermittent fasting is emerging as an effective tool for recover hormonal balance without depending exclusively on drugs.

Nutrition professor Krista Varady, director of the study, is clear: “If a woman loses about 5% of your body weightcan help reduce testosterone levels.” In the study, which lasted six months and included 76 premenopausal women with PCOS, three groups were compared. The first intermittent fastingwith a restricted meal schedule from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The second counted calories with a 25% reduction of daily energy and the control group made no changes to the diet.

Why does intermittent fasting “beat” calorie counting?

Although both methods achieved a similar weight loss (about 4.5 kilograms on average) and reduced total testosteroneintermittent fasting showed unique advantages that make it stand out.

Only the fasting group achieved reduce the free androgen indexwhich is the amount of hormone that actually reaches the tissues and causes symptoms. Furthermore, it was observed a improvement in HbA1c levelsa key marker to prevent diabetes, a risk closely associated with PCOS.

The adherence It was also more positive in the case of fasting. 80% of women who tried it stated that they would continue with this habit after finishing the study. “This study shows that intermittent fasting can improve female hormonal levelss, especially in women with PCOS,” Varady highlights.

What remains to be resolved

It is important to mention that, during the six months of the investigation, Fasting alone did not correct the irregularity of menstrual periods. However, Varady suggests that if the diet is maintained long-term and weight loss continues, it is very likely that this symptom will also end up improving.

As always, before drastically changing your eating habits, especially if you have a hormonal condition, it is essential consult with your endocrinologist or nutritionist to tailor fasting to your specific needs.