Give me summary of why women shouldn’t fast

Fasting may have different effects on women due to physiological differences and unique nutritional needs. Active women often find intermittent fasting detrimental unless they have specific conditions like PCOS. Women inherently possess more oxidative fibers, which means they are naturally more metabolically flexible than men. This can lead to increased stress when fasting, as fasting may exacerbate cortisol levels, impacting hormonal health and performance in high-intensity exercise. Women need adequate fuel to avoid endocrine dysfunction and maintain proper hormone regulation, particularly with age or during perimenopause when hormonal fluctuations and baseline cortisol levels can increase 1 2 3.

Moreover, fasting or extreme exercise plus fasting can reduce ovulation-related hormone levels, affecting fertility. For women, maintaining a regular eating pattern helps keep hormonal balance intact, whereas intermittent fasting might disrupt this equilibrium 4 5. The approach to fasting should be personalized, considering individual hormone health to determine whether it is suitable for a woman's lifestyle and biological needs 6.