Effect of time‐restricted eating on sex hormone levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal females

Abstract

Objective: Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of time-restricted eating (TRE) on sex hormones in females. This study examined how TRE affects sex steroids in premenopausal and postmenopausal females.Methods: This is a secondary analysis of an 8-week TRE study (4-to 6-hour eating window) conducted in adults with obesity. Men and perimenopausal females were excluded. Females were classified into two groups based on menstrual status: premenopausal (n = 12) or postmenopausal (n = 11).Results: After 8 weeks, body weight decreased in premenopausal females (À3% AE 2%) and postmenopausal females (À4% AE 2%) (main effect of time, p < 0.001), with no difference between groups (no group  time interaction). Circulating levels of testosterone, androstenedione, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) did not change in either group (no group  time interaction). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) in premenopausal (À14% AE 32%) and postmenopausal females (À13% AE 34%; main effect of time, p = 0.03), with no difference between groups. Estradiol, estrone, and progesterone were measured only in postmenopausal females, and they remained unchanged.Conclusions: In premenopausal females, androgens and SHBG remained unchanged during TRE, whereas DHEA decreased. In postmenopausal females, estrogens, progesterone, androgens, and SHBG did not change, but DHEA was reduced.

Ramadan intermittent fasting reduces visceral fat and improves gastrointestinal motility

“…In premenopausal women undergoing time‐restricted eating (4‐ to 6‐h eating window during 8 weeks), a recent study showed that body weight decreased with decreasing dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations. These changes were not associated with significant changes in circulating levels of testosterone, androstenedione and sex hormone binding globulin 31 . A recent review focusing on the effects of intermittent fasting on reproductive hormone levels reported the lack of significant effects of fasting on oestrogen, gonadotropins or prolactin levels in women 32 .…”

“…These changes were not associated with significant changes in circulating levels of testosterone, androstenedione and sex hormone binding globulin. 31 A recent review focusing on the effects of intermittent fasting on reproductive hormone levels reported the lack of significant effects of fasting on oestrogen, gonadotropins or prolactin levels in women. 32 Further studies must address the potential relationships between intermittent fasting, body fat distribution and sex hormones in healthy and unhealthy women.…”

Effect of time restricted eating versus daily calorie restriction on sex hormones in males and females with obesity

“…As for postmenopausal females, TRE had no effect on estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and SHBG concentrations, as documented in the Kalam study. 3 Taken together, TRE may decrease testosterone in males and premenopausal females, but does not appear to alter sex steroids in postmenopausal females.…”

“…6 In females, changes in sex hormones have only been examined in two TRE trials. 3, 4 In premenopausal females, reductions in total testosterone accompanied by increases in SHBG levels have been observed after 1 month of 8-h TRE in the trial by Li et al 4 In contrast, Kalam et al 3 reported no changes in total testosterone and SHBG levels after 2 months of TRE with shorter eating windows (4-6 h) in premenopausal females. As for postmenopausal females, TRE had no effect on estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and SHBG concentrations, as documented in the Kalam study.…”

“…To date, the effects of TRE on sex hormones remain largely unknown. Only a few studies have examined these effects [3][4][5][6][7] and these trials are small, short in duration, and lack control groups. In view of this, we conducted this study to examine how TRE impacts reproductive hormone levels in males, premenopausal females, and postmenopausal females over 12 months, relative to a standard care diet (daily calorie restriction, CR), and no-intervention controls.…”