Is It Harder to Be in Ketosis During Menstruation?
Is It Harder to Stay in Ketosis During Menstruation? Tips for Menopausal Women, and More
Hey everyone! This week, we’re diving into some common questions about the ketogenic diet, especially for women. We’ve got insights from fertility specialist Dr. Fox on everything from menstruation and ketosis to weight loss during menopause. Let’s get started!
Is It Harder to Stay in Ketosis During Menstruation?
Question from Pamela:
Dear Dr. Fox,
Is it just me, or is it really challenging (if not impossible) to stay in ketosis while menstruating? Even though I eat pretty much the same, I go from deep ketosis to barely any ketones at all.
Thanks, Pamela
Dr. Fox’s Answer:
Great question, Pamela. During the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle, progesterone levels are high. Progesterone is great for establishing pregnancy but not so great for metabolism. It makes you more insulin resistant and less metabolically stable. Combined with the lowest estrogen levels seen in the entire menstrual cycle (around days -3 to +3), this can really push you away from ketosis.
Just stay the course and don’t worry too much about the ketosis part. The nutritional approach is what you can control. I suggest once you’ve documented and understood your ketosis levels, stop monitoring because it adds unnecessary stress, which works against you. Best of luck!
Weight-Loss Advice for Menopausal Women
Question from a 51-Year-Old Woman:
I’m 51 and going through the tough realities of menopause. I also have PCOS (which caused infertility), hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. Could these conditions be preventing me from losing weight on keto? I’ve been strictly following a clean keto diet for 7 weeks and only lost 5 lbs (2 kg) in the first week. It’s disheartening seeing others lose 28+ lbs (13 kg) in the same time frame. Any advice or hope?
Dr. Fox’s Answer:
Sorry to hear about your menopause struggles—it’s really tough. Estrogen deficiency significantly increases insulin resistance and can make weight loss very difficult. Sleep apnea is also common and should be screened for, as it can significantly impair your efforts. Stick with your current approach because even without weight loss, you’re still much healthier. I suggest finding a doctor well-versed in hormone replacement therapy and exploring that option. Best of luck!
Top 10 Tips for Weight Loss on Low Carb or Keto for Women Over 40
Guide:
Are you a woman over 40 whose weight loss has stalled despite eating low carb or keto? Don’t worry! Here are our best tips for losing weight as a woman over 40.
Should You Eat According to Your Blood Type?
Question from David:
Hi Dr. Fox,
Both my wife and I have adopted the keto diet. It’s been great for me—my energy levels are up, and I’m losing weight. My wife is losing weight but doesn’t need to. She’s also experiencing constipation, and nothing seems to help.
I recently read that different blood types should follow different diets. My wife and I have different blood types. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Fox’s Answer:
I’m not aware of any science supporting the idea that blood type should dictate diet. People are genetically different in thousands of ways, not just blood type.
To address your concerns: if she’s getting enough calories (2,200+ per day) and still losing weight, her body is adjusting. She should probably avoid intermittent fasting. If constipated, really look at protein intake—normal levels are 1.2–1.7 grams per kilogram of ideal body weight. Too much protein can cause constipation. A good way to get more calories is to increase fat intake. I tell patients in this situation to have two slices of butter three times a day, and it almost always works.
Thanks for tuning in! If you have more questions, feel free to ask. Here’s to a healthier, happier you!
