Therapeutic restriction of carbohydrates for women’s health: metabolic and reproductive benefits

Sarah Rice BSC. (Hons) Mcoptom (UK), MHP, NNP

Generally, women are under -treated medical research, so this month it was encouraging to see several studies aimed at exploring women’s reproductive health with an emphasis on metabolic interventions.

Overweight and obesity are associated with hormonal imbalances, menstrual symptoms and other disorders such as abnormal uterine bleeding and polycystic ovary syndrome (1). Insulin resistance and inflammation, which may be associated with overweight or obesity, appear to be key contributors to gynecological disorders through hormonal disorders and the effect on the uterus as a final organ (1).

Menopause is an important metabolic disorder due to the effects of the decline of hormones. Other endocrine -related endocrine disorders associated with insulin resistance include irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and fertility problems (2). Therapeutic restriction of carbohydrates (TCRs) and other interventions such as intermittent fasting (if) can regulate hormone profiles and reduce insulin resistance, thereby supporting women’s health.

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding (Aub) affects about 30% of women of childbearing age and tends upwards (1). The causes of Aub may be structural or non -structural and are usually associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

A recent study by Salcedo et al. (2025) Underlines the correlation between hyperinsulinemia and the common causes of Aub and Aub may precede polycystic ovary syndrome, another condition known to be linked to insulin (1) resistance.

In a study by 2024, Kackley et al. He found that a ketogenic diet given to women of childbearing age positively formed menstruation (independent of weight loss) as well as the improvement of body synthesis and insulin sensitivity. Both the low -fat diet and the ketogenic diets were able to improve insulin sensitivity (both diets were resourceful and isoebasal), but only the ketogenic diet produced favorable changes in menstrual men. This finding shows a unique benefit of restricting carbohydrates to this regulation (2).

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Recent systematic reviews continue to show the benefits of the therapeutic restraint of carbohydrates for PCOS, the most common endocrine disorder found in women of childbirth (3, 4).

Łagowska et al. (2025) indicate improvements in body weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, insulin, ovulation and glucose that binds sexual hormone by administration of a ketogenic diet (4).

Testosterone levels have also been found to decrease compared to basic values ​​(3). In addition, a recent study He found a supplement of ketone at acute lower levels of androgen and glucose in women with PCOS, opening another avenue for further research (5). These studies add to the important basis of elements that show TCR benefits for PCOS.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition with complex pathophysiology associated with estrogen signaling, inflammation, oxidative stress and angiogenesis. In this years, the tissue is functionally similar to that of the uterine lining develops outside the uterine, bleeding and throwing during the menstrual cycle leading to painful symptoms.

A recent study by Naeini et al. He suggested that a ketogenic diet can be able to improve endometriosis and related symptoms by inhibiting the paths that contribute to this situation, including the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress, the suppression of angiogenesis and cellular division and the regulation of angiogenesis. They used a MCT -modified ketogenic diet (3: 1) as a complementary treatment and found improved pelvic pain ratings and significant improvements in dysplicy and difficulty (pain in sexual intercourse and bowel movements) compared to the control group (6).

Menopause

Menopause is a life stage associated with metabolic dysfunction associated with reduced hormone levels. Specifically, estrogen is an insulin awareness hormone that also regulates lipase lipoprotein (LPL), which contributes collectively to increased central grease, a common feature of menopause.

Up to 75% of women can be affected by vasomotor symptoms (hot rinsing) during the transition of menopause and menopause, which occurs associated with insulin resistance (7).

This complex of metabolic changes usually increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic dysfunction -related conditions, such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (7, 8).

Two recent studies have examined the role of intermittent fasting (if) during menopause to improve the metabolic condition. Garg et al. Get a wide outlook for its potential benefits if, while Ranjbar et al. (2025) conducted a randomized controlled test by examining whether for postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity and rheumatoid arthritis (8). This study used a daily 16/8 hours if for 8 weeks and participants had a significant impact on weight, illness and quality of life (8).
While these studies on menopause and the restriction of therapeutic carbohydrates are undergone in terms of research, existing studies show promise and have shown benefits in women with cardiac risk and hypertension (10), sleep apnea (11). A series of studies have examined TCR in women at all ages with beneficial effects on body mass, hormone profiles and metabolic markers (13).

Abrasion

Finally, hormonal changes such as adolescence, pregnancy and menopause can cause lipoedema, a condition that mainly affects women. This condition is often misunderstood and incorrectly diagnosed as obesity or lymphedema and can occur in a series of physical weights. Recent studies have shown a ketogenic diet can benefit this situation (you can read about lipoedema in a previous focus article) (14). A study last month from Sanlier et al. He has revised the popups on this subject, describing the various mechanisms and how ketogenic diets can be beneficial (15).

Conclusion

Overall, there is good indications that TCR effectively improves insulin resistance to women and this may include improvements on various paths associated with this metabolic state. More specific studies aimed at women’s health to enhance the documentation base and adjustment recommendations accordingly.

Resources

The Nutrition Network Reference Resource includes a subsection for reproductive health and there is an educational program that focuses on women’s health where experts teach the specific applications of TCR for women.

References

1. Salcedo, ac et al. (2025) “The uterus is a final instrument: a preliminary study of the correlation between abnormal uterine bleeding and hyperinsulinemia”, Menopause [Preprint]. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0000000000002548.
2. Kackley, ml et al. (2024) “Self -reported menstruation physiology is positively shaped by a well -designed, energy -controlled ketogenic diet against low -fat diet”, overweight/obesity “, PLOS ONE. Edited by L. Yanes Cardozo, 19 (8), p. E0293670. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293670.
3. Cannarella, R. et al. (2025) “Effects of ketogenic diets on polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis”, Reproductive biology and endocrinology23 (1), p. 74. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01411-1.
4. Łagowska, K. et al. (2025) “Effects of an ketogenic diet on the anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled tests”, Acta Scienceiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria24 (3). Available in: https://doi.org/10.17306/J.Afs.001327.
5. Rittig, N. et al. (2025) “Completion of ketone strongly reduces androgen and glucose levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized clinical trial”, European newspaper of endocrinologyp. LVAF106. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1093/ejendo/lvaf106.
6. Naeini, F. et al. (2025) “MCT modified, ketogenic diet as a supplement to standard treatment could mitigate clinical symptoms in women with endometriosis”, BMC Women’s Health, 25, p. 232. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03798-W.
7. Min, sh et al. (2022) Are there differences in the symptoms that middle life with and without metabolic syndrome face? A review of the field ‘, Women’s health18, p. 17455057221083817. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221083817.
8. Ranjbar, M. et al. (2025) “Effects of the intermittent fasting diet on excessive and obese postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: randomized controlled clinical trial”, supplementary treatments in Medicine, 91, p. 103189 Available in:
9. Garg, R. et al. (2025) “Interdisciplinary fasting and weight management management”, Journal of Mid-Life Health, 16 (1), pp. 14-18. Available in: https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.jmh_227_24.
10. Pala, b. et al. (2024) “Very low calorie diet reduces central blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in women after menopause with basic hypertension and obesity: a single, perspective, open, clinical study”, Nutrition, metabolism and cardiovascular disease: NMCDP. 103838 Available in: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2024.103838.
11. Franklin, ka et al. (2022) “Effects of a Paleolithic diet on obstructive sleep apnea occurring in women who are overweight after menopause – a randomized controlled test”, International Obesity Magazinepp. 1-7. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1038/S41366-022-01182-4.
12. McPhee, JC, Zinn, C. and Smith, M. (2018) “Exploring the acceptance and attachment to a carbohydrate diet, as reported by women aged 40-55.” Available in: (Access: June 11th 2025)
13. ‘Metabolic Disorders’ (2025) Nutritional network. Available at: (Access: June 11, 2025).
14. Network, N. (2024) ‘lipoedema and therapeutic carbohydrate restriction’, Nutritional networkDecember 19th. Available at: (Access: June 11, 2025).

Sanlier, N. and Baltacı, S. (2025) “Therapeutic applications of ketogenic diets in Lipedema: a narrative review of current proof”, Current obesity reports14 (1), p. 49. Available in: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-025-00642-Y.