Raising blood ketone levels through dietary changes or ketosis-supporting supplements has been linked to improvements in menstrual regularity for some women who previously faced irregular cycles. In a small, controlled study, participants who followed a ketogenic plan or used ketone-supporting supplements reported a shift toward regular menses after several weeks. The findings are not universal, and individual responses varied depending on factors such as weight change and overall metabolic health.
The ketogenic diet shifts the body’s energy source from glucose to ketones, molecules produced when fat is broken down for fuel. Ketones can sustain energy for the brain and body when carbohydrate intake is very low. In addition, there are nutritional supplements that raise blood ketone levels without strict dietary changes, often in the form of ketone salts or esters. These approaches aim to mimic certain aspects of ketosis, with different implications for appetite, energy, and hormonal balance.
Nineteen women participated in the trial and were divided into three nearly equal groups: one followed a ketogenic diet, a second combined the ketogenic diet with ketosis-supporting supplements, and a third adhered to a low-fat comparison diet. All meals were provided by the research team to standardize intake, and the study attempted to keep total calories and protein levels similar across groups.
Across the groups, participants experienced meaningful weight loss and reductions in body fat. The ketogenic plan and the low-fat regimen both led to improvements in cholesterol profiles and enhanced insulin sensitivity, though the exact magnitudes varied by group and individual factors such as baseline weight and activity levels.
Among women not using birth control pills, the ketogenic diet was associated with the return of normal menstrual cycles. Six participants who had not menstruated for more than a year, and who believed they were entering menopause, resumed menses on the ketogenic plan. This observation raised questions about how dietary ketosis might influence reproductive hormones in some individuals.
Nevertheless, blood ketone levels did not predict menstrual regularity. The results suggested that the mechanism behind the observed improvements lies beyond ketone concentration alone, pointing to metabolic changes from dieting, weight loss, and insulin sensitivity as potential mediators. Researchers emphasized the need for further work to understand these pathways.
Earlier work has warned that long-term ketogenic dieting could carry risks for organ health in some people, highlighting the necessity of caution and ongoing monitoring. The study’s small size and short duration are limitations, underscoring the need for larger, longer trials to verify any reproductive benefits and to assess safety in diverse populations. Citation: peer-reviewed study on ketosis and reproductive health.