The menstrual cycle produces significant hormonal fluctuations. These hormonal fluctuation relate to the fertility cycle, and their primary purpose is reproductive. However, the hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle have a significant influence on the storage and utilisation of energy, and this is also related to the preparation for the possibility of becoming pregnant. Evidence suggests that eating behaviour can be influenced by the modulation of hormonal levels during pregnancy and this may have a resulting effect on weight gain or weight loss. The menstrual cycle begins with the follicular phase in days 1 to 4, then moves to the late follicular stage in days 5 to 15 and finishes with the luteal phase in days 16 to 28. In the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle the energy expenditure and energy intake are increased and cravings for certain foods can occur. In particular, foods high in fat and carbohydrate are more likely to be consumed in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.
Weight loss programmes tailored to the hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle may have superior effects compared to more general weight loss programmes.
Studies have investigated the effects of a weight loss programme designed to target weight loss during particular phases of the menstrual cycle. Premenopausal women who were overweight consumed a diet of 1600 kcal per day. One group of women were assigned to undergo a combined energy restriction and exercise programme that was tailored to metabolic changes that occurred during their menstrual cycle, whereas another group of women underwent simple energy restriction. Both groups lost weight during the study. However, those undertaking the weight loss programme tailored to the menstrual cycle, lost significantly more weight than the control group, but only if the subjects who did not stick to the programme were excluded. Therefore tailoring an exercise and weight programme to the fluctuating hormone levels of women, may be beneficial at causing optimal weight loss, when compared to more general weight loss programmes that do not take hormonal activity into account.
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