I had the odd shakey fastday very early on (up to about 3 months into the diet) but I don’t remember them specifically being ‘period’ days too (maybe they were, I maybe just didn’t make the connection). Anyway, in the great scheme of things, as long as you get through it ok (sleep off a migraine/ have the bag of malteasers to head off the faintness etc.), I wouldn’t worry too much, I expect it’ll be a passing phase of your body getting used to this WOE.

My ‘period’ experience on 5:2 has actually been a massive motivator for me. I previously had very heavy, painful periods and was washed out and moody sometimes by them. None of that on 5:2. I had a little 5:2 holiday over my birthday week this year and had a period due straight after – it was NOTHING LIKE as bad as they had been in the past but because I’d had that holiday it was more painful than I’ve been used to and was a very timely reminder that it really doesn’t matter if I ever lose another pound on this diet – I AM NEVER COMING OFF IT. 😉

Hey Bliss89, I agree with arobin1366 on the supplement. I have iron and vitamin supplements every day. My periods are normally quite heavy and painful, but as long as I stay on the supplements I know I won’t get any deficiencies.

As far as the rest goes, you have you period (hopefully) once a month, and if you really suffer from fasting on those days I wouldn’t worry too much about straying from the holy path of fasting that week 😉 I don’t think it will change too much, except you will perhaps feel better.

Best of luck!

I have only recently started fasting, and I am planning on NOT fasting during my period. (That means dropping one fast day a month.) I have rather heavy periods and am prone to dreadful muscle cramps in my legs and thighs during and in the few days after my period (although, after the birth of my children, I no longer get abdominal cramping). I think that is a definite sign of some sort of deficiency, although I have never been able to figure out what. I have tried taking a general vitamin around the time of my period, but that doesn’t seem to help. I had anemia for about two months after the (premature, c-section) birth of my son 6 months ago, so I am taking iron supplements every day. I need to discuss with my doctor the extent to which I should continue with the daily supplements.

For me, this adds up to not even attempting fasting during my periods!

I would also like to toss out a couple of questions.

I also remember reading a number of places that women often have increased caloric needs leading up to menstruation, and that can require as much as 500 extra calories a day. Does anyone know if that has any proper scientific basis?

About anemia and menstruation… I have seen that higher doses of iron supplements are often recommended for menstruating women. Aside from cases of extremely heavy periods, does one really lose enough blood to become anemic from one round of menstruation? Or is it more a case of a deficiency building up over longer times?

Bliss i’m not sure why you think your dizziness has to do with your period instead of eating so few calories.

When your brain isn’t getting enough fuel, it can cause the symptoms you’ve experienced. Your brain can’t run on fat after only one or two days of fasting. So your brain may not have been getting enough fuel. The brain’s first choice is glucose. Second it will go for protein but that has still to be converted from muscle if you haven’t got any protein floating around in your system so it would take a bit of time. And i am not sure if 187 calories from the maltesers would have been enough to get you through your shift.

I think it would be good to discuss all the possibilities with your doctor.

@tagnorge. You’re right about women burning up more calories on the 5 days lead up. And at about 500 calories.

I also found that mine aren’t as heavy since fasting. On the odd time I’ve not fasted properly or been on hols it’s been horrendous again afterwards. Definitely another fasting benefit!

My fast day (new to this) fell on day 2 of my period, and my flow stopped entirely. It resumed with a vengeance when I had my post-fast meal. Woah! I’m assuming it’s just my body knowing what to do to cope with starvation. Any similar experience?
Also, overall fasting has been tremendously beneficial i felt almost no PMS and this is a major plus. THUMBS UP.

Hi all,
ChichitaGatita I have the same question. I feel like I am a little thicker in the middle on the days leading up to my period.

Rari, many traditions are based on incorrect assumptions and in my view it is utterly pointless if not backward to practice things for the reasons “thats the way its always been”. In this day and age we all know that menstruation is not a sickness though you may indeed feel a little or a lot off on those days. There is no need to increase your calories to compensate if you feel fine and more than there is no reason for yoga practitioners to avoid headstands. On the other hand, if you don’t cope well with it, eat more and feel better.