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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PCOS affects A recent study published in A first-line treatment<\/a> for PCOS is hormonal birth control<\/a>. However, this medication can lead to negative side effects on mood, libido, and metabolism. It can also increase the risk of stroke in some people. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking for other ways of lowering testosterone levels in these women,\u201d Krista Varady<\/a>, PhD, professor of kinesiology and nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago, and an author of the study, said in a press release<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cOne way is through weight loss. If someone loses around 5% of their body weight, they can actually Intermittent fasting<\/a>, or time-restricted eating (TRE), has become a popular weight loss strategy. This method utilizes cycles of voluntary fasting followed by eating periods. It focuses more on when to eat than on what to eat. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIntermittent fasting may improve adherence for some individuals compared to calorie or macro tracking, which can support weight loss and metabolic improvements. However, dietary quality remains foundational,\u201d said Kristin Kirkpatrick<\/a>, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine and President of KAK Consulting, who was not involved in the study. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The study analyzed 76 participants who were randomly assigned to one of three groups for 6 months: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The primary factor the researchers were checking was the percentage change in body weight over 6 months. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Both the TRE group and the calorie-restriction group achieved significant weight loss by the end of 6 months. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Participants in the TRE group also showed changes in their testosterone and A1C levels. A1C levels<\/a> are a risk marker for diabetes. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cDaily intermittent fasting<\/a> could be an alternative to calorie counting for individuals with PCOS who are looking to lose weight. Both diets can also help with insulin resistance<\/a>, which many people with PCOS have and which can put individuals at risk for diabetes<\/a>,\u201d Varady told Healthline. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIntermittent fasting may also help lower testosterone<\/a> levels in PCOS, which is important because testosterone is the culprit behind many PCOS symptoms,\u201d she continued. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Varady added that intermittent fasting<\/a> may be easier for many people to follow than calorie restriction. Many participants in the TRE group stated they would continue the diet. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Kirkpatrick said it\u2019s important to establish a solid dietary foundation before focusing on fasting hours. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFrom there, choose an eating window that fits your lifestyle and feels sustainable,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Varady suggested trying a 6 to 8-hour eating window that ends at least 1 hour before you go to bed. She recommended keeping a consistent eating window each day, as this will help your body to adjust to the new eating times more easily. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Of course, as with many diet and weight loss protocols, consistency is key. Limiting food intake to your eating window each day will yield the best results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhile you don\u2019t necessarily need to worry about diet quality while doing intermittent fasting \u2014 weight loss can happen regardless \u2014 it may benefit those with PCOS to also make dietary changes, including increasing non-starchy vegetables<\/a>, lowering starchy carbs<\/a>, and getting adequate protein<\/a>,\u201d said Varady.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n