If you’re considering switching from the standard American diet to the keto diet, you may be wondering how your period will change. Will the keto diet affect my period? Will it stop my periods altogether? How long does it take to get your period back on the keto diet? It’s important to know that there are some differences between being on the keto diet and being off it, so keep reading to learn about what happens to your period on the keto diet and how long you can expect these changes to last.

My period before keto

When I was younger, my period was normal. Every month for about five days, I would get tired and have cramps. It wasn’t too bad, and after a few days, it would all be over. I never really worried about it; even when my period stopped coming, I didn’t worry too much because that happens sometimes with women. After keto: After being on keto for several months, my period still hasn’t come back yet. This is why many people say that if you want to try keto but aren’t ready to give up your period just yet then now is not a good time.

When should I expect my period on keto?

While it is common for some women to miss a period or even skip their cycle on keto, many factors go into what happens with your period while in ketosis. While it varies from woman to woman, most people find that they get their first post-keto period between 2 and 6 months after they’ve started keto. Many things may determine how long it takes you: medication use (especially birth control), body type, activity level, and stress levels can all affect how long it takes you to get your first post-keto period. If you’re tracking your periods using an app like Clue or CycleBeads (which lets you know when your body is ovulating), look out for symptoms of ovulation.

How might keto affect my period?

The ketogenic diet is known as one of the most effective weight loss diets around. If you're considering it, you've probably heard stories of people losing huge amounts of weight in no time—possibly even without exercising. But what's up with your period while you're on it? While not every woman experiences changes to her period while following a keto diet, many do—and they can range from minimal (some spotting at first) to major (some women stop getting their periods). Here's what happens when you try keto for weight loss and why that might be. Spoiler alert: It can affect your period.

Can I still get pregnant while eating keto?

Eating keto does not prevent you from getting pregnant. If your goal is conception, it’s best to wait until you have been at your goal weight for six months before getting pregnant. This will give your body more time to adjust and should make it easier for you to maintain that healthy weight during pregnancy. If you do become pregnant while eating keto, there is no reason to stop eating keto. There has been no documented link between eating low-carb and an increased risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Plenty of people who are diabetic stick with their low-carb diets throughout their pregnancies. (source)

Women’s Health Considerations

One of the most common misconceptions about keto is that it will cause you to gain weight—and lots of it. The reason for that misconception is twofold: First, because so many people replace carbs with fat and keep protein intake fairly high (about 30 percent of your total calories), their weight loss comes mostly from losing water and lean body mass, not fat. Second, there’s also some truth to what they say; if you want to burn through more calories, your body needs more fuel (protein) than when you are just eating carbs. This can cause an increase in hunger levels and encourage snacking throughout the day—not good! Aim for 20 grams of protein at each meal.

What if I want to keep eating keto when I start my period again?

If you do want to continue eating keto and your period has stopped for several days, that’s perfectly fine. You may notice that your energy level drops when you begin eating again (if you were active or if it was intense exercise), but don’t be discouraged by that change. First, just keep reminding yourself how much better you feel overall now that you’re eating keto. Next, add small amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods back into your diet to slowly adjust to maintaining ketosis while continuing a regular menstrual cycle. Start with no more than 20 grams of net carbohydrates per day and increase slowly over several weeks. If your flow becomes very heavy, reduce your carbohydrate intake by 10–15 grams until it goes away.

Binge Eating Disorder Considerations

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where people eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time, often when they’re not hungry. Bingeing behavior usually happens during times of distress, such as feeling stressed or sad. People with BED typically eat until they feel uncomfortably full. Symptoms of BED include eating much more rapidly than normal and eating until you feel sick. You may eat alone because you're embarrassed about how much you're eating, or because you worry that someone will criticize your food choices. In many cases, people with BED eat regular meals throughout their day and aren't considered to have anorexia or bulimia nervosa.