Anyone experienced periods stopping with IF?

[Scarzo]

I've been doing IF for about 4 months. I haven't had a period for 10 weeks. I'm definitely not pregnant, so think it might be related to IF.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm 40 and not planning to have anymore dc, so does it really matter? Are there any other health concerns I should be thinking about other than not being able to conceive?

I've had really good results and only have a 2 more kg to lose before I reach my goal weight, so I'm really reluctant to give it up.

I've done a bit of searching online, but there's not a huge amount of information about this (although some articles seem to suggest IF not good for women).

I'm really keen to hear other peoples experiences. Thanks

[Jeffjefftyjeff]

Interesting thought. I did 5:2 in summer and periods went a bit weird and thought it was being 40. Now wondering if it was the diet.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Rapid weight loss on any WOE, or reaching too low a weight, can cause periods to stop, as can too much stress of any sort.
If your goal weight is sensible, then the periods should return once you are at maintenance, i.e. without a calorie deficit.

IF may be more likely to cause this problem, just because if you are sufficiently determined then fasting is a highly effective way to lose weight, maybe more quickly or to a lower fat level than your body can cope with at the moment.

Fertility is often the first function to be shut down, if your combination of stresses is too high.

There have been a few cases reported of 16:8 (daily 16 hr fast) stopping periods in some women exercisers who were mostly already lean and with EDs.
This is thought to be caused by a combination of too much calorie restriction plus intense exercise exceeding their personal stress threshold.
They'd have had the same problem however they lost weight, but probably wouldn't have been able to lose as much weight without fasting.

[BigChocFrenzy]

People with EDs should NEVER fast.

For other folk, extensive research has shown fasting can have health benefits, especially wrt avoiding age-related diseases, correcting some metabolic issues, also asthma and some skin ailments.
See "Scientific Evidence for Fasting" in the Main 5:2 Thread 59 OP.

Several on our 5:2 threads have found fasting helps resolve problems like PCOS and overweight; the 5:2 stork is quite busy.

However, if someone is already the correct weight and ttc, I suggest they don't fast, in case they are one of those whose fertility would decrease.