Should You Do the Bahá'í Fast If You Have PCOS? A Holistic Guide to Fasting with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The Bahá'í Fast is a spiritually significant time—one of reflection, renewal, and drawing closer to God. But if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you might be wondering:

👉 Should I fast if I have PCOS?
👉 Will fasting make my symptoms worse or better?
👉 How can I do the Fast without feeling exhausted, irritable, or hormonally imbalanced?

These are valid questions, and if you've been struggling with PCOS symptoms—like irregular cycles, insulin resistance, weight fluctuations, or fatigue—you deserve clear answers.

The Bahá'í teachings advise that those with medical conditions should consult a qualified physician to determine whether they are exempt from fasting.

But here’s the key: qualified.

In my experience working with women’s hormones and fertility, many conventional doctors offer only two solutions to “treat” PCOS:

🚫 Birth control to regulate cycles artificially
🚫 Metformin to help lower blood sugar

But what if I told you there was another way?

I've worked with women who have completely reversed their metabolic symptoms through diet, movement, and lifestyle changes—and fasting itself!

So let’s break it down. Can fasting actually help with PCOS? And if so, how do you do it safely?

Fasting with PCOS: Can It Help or Hurt?

PCOS is a metabolic condition. Many women with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance, meaning their bodies have a hard time processing carbohydrates properly.

This can lead to:
❌ Irregular cycles
❌ Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
❌ Cravings, energy crashes, and blood sugar imbalances
❌ Hormonal imbalances that make ovulation unpredictable

Fasting isn’t for everyone. If you’re TTC and want to know if fasting is impacting your ovulations, listen to this episode of my Resilient Fertility Podcast!

When done correctly, fasting can actually be an incredible tool to support metabolic health and hormone balance. Research suggests that intermittent fasting can:

✅ Improve insulin sensitivity (helping your body process glucose more effectively)
✅ Reduce inflammation (which is a key driver of PCOS symptoms)
✅ Support hormone regulation (helping cycles become more predictable)
✅ Boost stress resilience (reducing cortisol levels, which can disrupt hormones)
✅ Enhance reproductive longevity (by promoting cellular repair and detoxification)

However, fasting is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

If done incorrectly, fasting can actually add stress to the body, making symptoms worse instead of better.

The key? You need to fast in a way that supports your metabolic and hormonal health.

How to Fast with PCOS Without Making Your Symptoms Worse

If you decide to observe the Bahá'í Fast with PCOS, here’s what you need to focus on to support your body during this time:

1. Prioritize Protein to Keep Blood Sugar Stable

Many women assume that eating more food before sunrise is the key to staying full all day. But it’s not just about how much you eat—it’s about what you eat.

🔹 Animal-based proteins (eggs, beef, chicken, fish) help stabilize blood sugar and keep you full longer.
🔹 Healthy fats (butter, olive oil, avocados) provide slow-burning energy.
🔹 High-fiber foods (leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables) support digestion and hormone balance.

Without adequate protein and balanced macros, your blood sugar will spike in the morning and crash by midday—leaving you feeling exhausted, irritable, and struggling to focus on the spiritual purpose of the Fast.

2. Learn How to Balance Blood Sugar Using Food and Lifestyle

Your meals are only one part of the equation. If you have PCOS, your blood sugar stability is also influenced by:

💡 Sleep – Getting at least 8-9 hours of quality sleep is essential to keeping cortisol levels low and hormones balanced.

💡 Light exposure – Morning sunlight and minimizing blue light at night can help regulate your circadian rhythm, which is crucial for hormone balance.

💡 Movement – Low-intensity movement like walking is best during the fasting hours. Strength training or moderate exercise should be done after your evening meal, when your body has fuel to sustain it.

These lifestyle shifts can make a huge difference in how you experience the Fast and whether or not fasting benefits your PCOS.

3. Listen to Your Body and Adjust as Needed

Every woman’s body is different. Some women with PCOS thrive during fasting, while others find it too stressful on their system.

🔹 Signs you’re fasting well:
✅ You have steady energy levels throughout the day
✅ Your mood and focus remain stable
✅ Your cycles remain regular and predictable (if they were already regular and predictable)

🔹 Signs fasting may be stressing your body:
❌ You feel exhausted, dizzy, or lightheaded daily
❌ You’re experiencing worsening PCOS symptoms
❌ Your cycle becomes more irregular after fasting

If you notice persistent negative symptoms, it’s okay to modify your approach—or consult a professional to help you navigate fasting with PCOS or decide whether you need to be medically exempt from fasting.

So, Should You Do the Bahá’í Fast If You Have PCOS?

It depends—but when done right, fasting can actually help improve insulin resistance, hormone balance, and reproductive health.

The key is knowing HOW to do it in a way that supports your metabolic health rather than stresses your body.

If you’re not sure how to do this, I’ve created a step-by-step guide inside Thriving Through the Bahá’í Fast—my mini-course designed to help Bahá’í women navigate the Fast with energy, balance, and alignment.

Thriving Through the Bahá'í Fast

Inside this self-paced mini-course, you’ll get:

🍽 A 19-day meal plan designed for stable blood sugar, sustained energy, and hormone balance

📖 Practical lessons on blood sugar regulation, metabolism, and cycle syncing during the Fast

💡 Expert strategies to fast without stress, energy crashes, or hormone disruptions

✨ PLUS: $19 from every purchase goes to the National Bahá'í Fund!

Whether you want to fast with confidence or make fasting easier on your body, this course will help you navigate the Bahá’í Fast while supporting your health.

Final Thoughts

Fasting is a deeply personal and spiritual decision, and PCOS doesn’t automatically mean you can’t fast. However, it does mean you need to take extra care in how you approach fasting to ensure it benefits rather than harms your health.

If you want guidance on fasting in a way that supports your PCOS, you can:

💡 Watch my free webinar: How to Stay Energized & Spiritually Focused During the Bahá’í Fast

💛 Join Thriving Through the Bahá’í Fast and get a complete step-by-step guide to fasting

If you have any questions or need a personalized approach, feel free to schedule a free discovery call with me or comment below.

Wishing you an energized, spiritually fulfilling Fast!