Can Diet Affect Your Menstrual Cycle? All You Need To Know About Menorexia

Some women obsess about weight loss. If it is done in a healthy way, then there is no reason to worry. But if your diet starts affecting your hormonal health – so much so that it delays your period, then this is a big concern. Do you know there is even a term to this? It is known as menorexia. To know more about this topic, keep reading.

In an exclusive conversation with the editorial team of Only My Health, Dr Geetika Chopra, Celebrity Holistic Nutritionist, tells us all about menorexia.

What is Menorexia?

First, let us try to understand what menorexia is. “Menorexia is not yet an officially classified medical condition, but it is a growing clinical concern recognized by endocrinologists and nutritionists worldwide,” says Dr Chopra. Speaking on how it got its name, she says: “The term merges ‘menstruation’ and ‘anorexia’ – referring to a pattern of restrictive eating and over-exercising that leads to menstrual disturbances — particularly secondary amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for more than three months)”.

Dr Chopra gives a detailed explanation further. She adds, “At its core, menorexia represents a state of chronic energy deficiency. When a woman’s caloric intake consistently falls below her physiological requirements — whether due to crash dieting, overtraining, or prolonged fasting — the hypothalamus perceives a state of ‘energy crisis’. To conserve vital energy for survival, the brain suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, reducing secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This cascade lowers luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), ultimately reducing estrogen and progesterone — hormones crucial for reproduction, bone health, skin integrity, mental stability, and metabolic function.”

Is Menorexia a Serious Health Concern?

We should not take menorexia lightly. “It is not simply a menstrual issue; it is a comprehensive endocrine and metabolic shutdown,” shares Dr Chopra and adds that the suppression of estrogen triggers several systemic consequences:

1. Loss of Bone Density

Low estrogen increases osteoclastic activity, leading to early osteopenia or osteoporosis, even in women under 40.

2. Thyroid Dysregulation

Calorie restriction suppresses conversion of T4 to T3 (triiodothyronine), resulting in fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, and slowed metabolism.

3. Cortisol Dominance

Chronic under-eating elevates cortisol, causing central fat accumulation, sleep disturbance, and heightened anxiety.

4. Reproductive and Emotional Impacts

Suppressed estrogen can lead to infertility, mood fluctuations, depression, and loss of libido.

5. Cardiovascular Risk

Estrogen deficiency alters lipid metabolism, raising LDL and reducing HDL cholesterol, increasing long-term cardiovascular risk.

Also Read: Should You Avoid Spicy Foods During Your Period? Here’s What You Need To Know

Early Signs of Menorexia

Dr Chopra explains that the menstrual cycle is often referred to as the fifth vital sign in women’s health. She adds that the following symptoms may indicate early stages of menorexia or hypothalamic dysfunction:

• Irregular, scanty, or completely absent menstrual cycles for three months or longer.
• Constant fatigue, cold hands and feet, or low blood pressure.
• Obsessive focus on ‘clean eating’ or low-calorie foods.
• Persistent fear of weight gain or guilt after meals.
• Hair thinning, brittle nails, and dry skin.
• Low libido, irritability, and frequent mood swings.
• Sleep disruption or early morning awakenings caused by cortisol imbalance.

Why Menorexia is Called Midlife Eating Disorder

In the pursuit of a toned physique, many women unintentionally adopt eating patterns that restrict calories below basal metabolic needs. Dr Chopra mentions that over time, this leads to hormonal suppression and amenorrhea, even in women with normal body weight.

But did you know that menorexia is also known as the midlife eating disorder? The expert explains why. “While eating disorders were traditionally associated with adolescence, clinicians are observing a rising incidence among women in their 30s and 40s. This age group is particularly vulnerable due to a combination of metabolic slowing, hormonal transitions (such as perimenopause), chronic stress, and social pressure to appear youthful,” says Dr Chopra.

Also Read: Can Eating Disorders Affect Your Heart? Cardiologist Suggests

Recovery from Menorexia

The expert explains that the cornerstone of recovery from menorexia lies in restoring energy balance and rebuilding hormonal safety within the body. This involves:

• Re-establishing adequate caloric intake at or above basal metabolic requirements.
• Ensuring balanced macronutrient distribution, with emphasis on healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein.
• Addressing key micronutrient deficiencies including vitamin D, iron, zinc, calcium, and B12.
• Temporarily reducing high-intensity exercise to support hypothalamic recovery.
• Re-regulating the cortisol rhythm through adequate sleep, emotional balance, and adaptogenic support (such as ashwagandha, maca, and holy basil).

“Menorexia, therefore, symbolizes the paradox of modern wellness culture — where women striving for health and longevity may, in fact, be driving themselves into hormonal exhaustion and metabolic burnout,” Dr Chopra concludes.

The Final Word

Menorexia is the combination of ‘menstruation’ and ‘anorexia’. It refers to a pattern of restrictive eating and over-exercising that leads to menstrual disturbances — particularly absence of periods for more than three months. One should thus adopt healthy diets that support their hormone health.