Wednesday, April 02, 2026 (Medipedia News) – Intermittent fasting helps control symptoms from a hormonal imbalance that impacts nearly 1 in 6 women, a new critical study conducted by the University of Illinois-Chicago revealed on March 31.
Weight loss is linked with intermittent fasting, which helps lower testosterone levels in most women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These lowered levels could wind up enhancing PCOS symptoms over time, researchers suggested. This study, along with various other studies published by Clinical Trials, shows that intermittent fasting helps enhance female hormone levels, specifically those with PCOS.
As per a professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago, PCOS happens when women don’t develop enough female hormones that they need to ovulate. In another study conducted by John Hopkins Medicine, the ovaries develop small fluid-filled sacs called cysts that produce male hormones such as testosterone. Higher levels of male hormones cause serious issues like irregular periods, sudden weight gain, and infertility among females with PCOS.
A health expert at Clinical Trials stated that his team is finding alternative ways of lowering testosterone levels in women. One way is through weight reduction. If someone loses around 5% of their body weight, it can actually help reduce testosterone levels and sidestep any medication intervention.
Researchers suggested doing the following to achieve this goal:
- Intermittent fasting – Restrict consumption of foods and drinks to 6 to 8 hours daily. This is one potential way to reduce body weight. But some critics have stated that this diet might affect regular levels of female hormone production.
For the trial, researchers selected 76 females with PCOS and assigned them to one of three groups. One group followed intermittent fasting. The second group tried to reduce weight through calorie restriction and counting. The third group served as the control group and continued their regular diet. In the first two groups, the women’s calorie intake was around 200 per day, and they lost an average of 10 pounds during the six-month trial period.
At the end of the research, it was noticed that women in the first two groups experienced a sharp decline in testosterone levels. However, intermittent fasting failed to reduce PCOS symptoms like irregular periods. But researchers said that the symptoms will improve if women follow a long-term diet pattern. About 80% of women assigned to intermittent fasting stated that they are willing to continue the eating pattern due to the positive results they witnessed.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.