Although I am not new to fasting--I did a 7-day water fast a few months ago with excellent results--I am new to long fasts. I have decided to embark on a longer fast--possibly 3 weeks--and I would like to know where I could get information regarding the effects of long water fasts on menstruation.
My partner and I have decided to start a family--one of the reasons why I would like to detox and lose some weight--but the whole idea of having menstruation irregularities keeps me from starting a prolonged water fast. Could "not eating" have any negative effects on our monthy cycles? In other words, could a long water fast make your period go away?
Please let me know where I can find some info regarding this. All your comments will be very much appreciated.
I've had some similar issues as to your concerns. I will tell you my experience and let other posters lead to you the articles if they know of any.
In regards to irregular menses and the period- I believe and have experienced normalization of the menstrual cycle which was not normal to me and minimization of pre-ovalutory signs and symptoms- ie. diminished cramping,pain fatigue.
Just for your information I will include some things I looked into.
If you are planning on getting pregnant, it is advised to do a 3 month supplement and quality diet ( some say as much as six months) prior to conception. While there is probably some leniency in people with healthy diets, if you are or have been fasting you predispose the fetus to potential neural tube defects with insufficent amounts of folate /folic acid present in the mother. People think they can supplement once they find out they are pregnant , however while that is expected and necessary- the neural tube of the fetus closes on day27 or day 28 of the pregnancy and no matter how much supplementation you do after that if you body was not fortified well, neural tube defects result. That is just the case for one element of the body that gets low with fasting.
If would be beneficial to either use protection and or abstinence and plan for your conception ( the time when you would begin acting on it) prior to getting pregnant to make sure you have refortified your tissues and you electrolyte vitamins minerals are all within normal range. Some even recommend taking prenatals in advance. You might check out some books from the library to read up on it.
This is what I learned from my situation . Hope this helps you.
Thank you very much for the info. What you say about supplements makes a lot of sense. I am not planning to start a family right now, but in a few months.
One more question... how long was(were) your fast(s)? Were they 'only-water' fasts?
Yes my fasts were water only. The first fast was 28 days and resulted in hypokalemia( low potassium) and the second fast was 32 days. I found the second fast easier perhaps because I had completely changed my eating patterns. I also started juicing fresh fruits and vegetables more regularly. I was not prepared for the first fast as in I did not merge into it slowly or have a completely proper diet beforehand.
Just a thought. If you fast thirty days, you must refortify at least 30 days, however if you are planning on having a baby, from what I understand I would ideally fortify you body for at least two months post fast in preparation before conception ie 1:2 ratio. Preparing for conception and pregnancy is like having a good insurance policy on your health and the baby's future. Just my 2 cents.
Probably a fasting advisor might be really good to guide you and you can find them at fastingconnection .com or I think Dr. Bass does phone consults you can look up his website. Ask about fasting, discuss the length of you plan, how long adequate fortification of the tissues with take in preparation for a pregnancy and suitable diet postconception for the baby's health and to optimize yours.
Hello riverside14,
"the effects of long water fasts on menstruation"?
Dr H M Shelton.........
"Both male and female organs are enabled to heal and repair themselves during a fast. Menstruation is often brought on a week or two weeks ahead of the regular time. After this it usually CEASES ALTOGETHER. Disorders of ovulation yield quite rapidly to the kindly influence of fasting.
Herbert Shelton also noted in his own patients that not only do some apparently healthy women, even in our own culture, never menstruate, but that non-menstruating women can be fertile and have healthy children. That is, ovulation does NOT require menstruation..........................
"The fact that the whole ovulation cycle can occur time after time without the loss of blood, and can and does this in so many cases, especially in women and whole tribes and races living 'less civilized', more natural lives, should cause us to doubt that menstruation is either necessary or normal. The fact that it is in the healthiest and strongest women that there is no loss of blood and that the loss of blood increases in proportion to the decline in physical vigor, should cause us to conclude that this, like all other losses of blood, is abnormal."
"Women can realize nothing but good from building such a high degree of health that this 'normal' hemorrhage becomes so 'abnormal' that it ceases."
I suggest you scroll down this webpage and read the article by Dr Shelton entitled..
"Should Women Menstruate? and published in the Hygienic Review Vol. IV May, 1943 No.9
Should Women Menstruate?
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Effects of Fasting on Menstruation--Please help 
