Supporting Women’s Wellbeing While Celebrating Ramadan
Ramadan is a significant period for many women, offering both spiritual and physical reflection. With Ramadan approaching, it is important to discuss that unique health considerations arise, especially related to fasting, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and even postpartum. It is important for women to understand how Ramadan may impact their health and well-being, and to seek guidance from healthcare providers as needed. Open communication with your provider can help ensure safe practices during Ramadan, while taking individual health needs into account.
Ramadan and Menstrual Periods
It is my understanding that you are exempt from fasting and praying if you are bleeding during your menstrual period. This can be very frustrating for my patients that want to participate and I often get asked for a prescription to stop the bleeding. If you desire medication, progesterone would be the recommended medication of choice to stop or lighten bleeding, but it is not guaranteed to work. When starting this method, it is normal to expect irregular bleeding or spotting when you don’t expect it. Typically, you would not want to start this medication at the last minute because it is not guaranteed to work and the instance of irregular bleeding is higher the first month of using it. I recommend starting progesterone about 2-3 months prior to Ramadan so that your body has time to get used to the medication. If you are already taking a combined birth control (estrogen and progesterone), skip your placebo pill week and take the hormone tablets continuously. For example, take the 3 weeks of hormones and open the next pill pack and start the next 3 weeks of hormones. This should skip your next period.
If you do not want to choose any medications, it is important to note that your period may not be like your normal period during Ramadan because of the change in your mealtimes and no water/fluid intake during the day. Both factors can alter your cycle.
Ramadan and Pregnancy
When people think of Ramadan people often think it’s just fasting meaning food, but it is also liquids, and hydration in pregnancy is imperative.
This is always hard to discuss because I can tell that is it devastating to my patients, but it is not recommended to participate in fasting with Ramadan if you are pregnant. Truly in pregnancy you really don’t want to go past 3 hours without eating food. The longer you wait the more symptoms of heartburn and nausea you have. Not to mention if you are around 28 weeks of pregnancy, this is the critical time for the growth of the baby. Around 28 weeks the baby is expected to grow about 1 pound every 2 weeks. So, you really need protein and fiber during this time and not eating until sunset can lead to several issues such as headaches, low blood sugar, dizziness, decreased fetal movement, etc. It is also easier to get dehydrated in pregnancy on a normal basis and water intake throughout the day is critical.
If you are pregnant and you have gestational diabetes, it is definitely not recommended to fast. Smaller frequent meals help to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day versus a large meal that can increase the evening and fasting blood sugar levels. Not eating can work against your body when it comes to your blood sugar.
Ramadan and Postpartum
If you are breastfeeding, you need at least 200-300 additional calories a day. Similarly to pregnancy, you want to eat smaller frequent meals and hydrate. Both food and water help your breast milk supply.
This is a short and sweet post this week, but I wanted to touch on the common questions that I am asked during Ramadan in relation to women’s health.
For those reading who are celebrating, Ramadan Mubarak.
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