Food & Supplements · 3 min
Fasting, fertility, and faith: what the evidence says
Top things to know
There is no clear evidence that Ramadan fasting lowers pregnancy chances in otherwise healthy women.
During IVF, some phases may be better without fasting; talk with your imam and your consultant.
With partial fasts, the key question is whether you still get enough protein, calories, iron and B12.
Time-restricted eating shows some promise in PMOS, but stricter fasting is not well studied when trying to conceive.
How does fasting during Ramadan affect fertility and conception?
Observant Muslim women often ask whether Ramadan fasting affects fertility. The evidence is mixed and specific. Observational studies suggest mild, short-term effects on cycle length and hormone rhythm, but no clear evidence that Ramadan fasting reduces pregnancy rates in otherwise-healthy women.
Faith and evidence can both be valid frames at the same time. The information is yours to hold, not a verdict on your practice.
Myth
A common belief is that religious fasting is incompatible with fertility care, and one has to be chosen over the other.
Evidence
With planning, most fertility cycles, including IVF, can be timed around fasting periods, and most major traditions include medical-exemption pathways for active treatment, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Clinicians who work with SA communities are familiar with this and can plan around the calendar.
Sadeghirad B et al., Public Health Nutr 2014; ESHRE patient guidance on fasting and ART.
Quick check
Are you currently planning around a fasting period (Ramadan, vrats, navratri, IF)?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally exempted from fasting in Islamic tradition. For women undergoing , clinicians may recommend not fasting during the stimulation and transfer phases, discuss timing with both your imam and your consultant.
How do Sikh and Hindu fasting practices affect fertility?
Many Sikh and Hindu fasting traditions are partial (specific foods avoided, or one meal a day) and their metabolic effect is typically modest. As with any dietary restriction, the key question in the context of fertility is: are you still getting enough protein, calories, iron, and B12? Regular fasting without attention to nutrition is the more likely fertility issue, not the act of fasting itself.
Does intermittent fasting help with PMOS (formerly PCOS)?
Time-restricted eating (e.g. eating within an 8–10-hour window) has some evidence for improving insulin sensitivity in PMOS. It is one tool among several, not a standalone treatment. More aggressive fasting protocols (24-hour fasts, alternate-day fasting) are not well-studied in women and may affect menstrual regularity in vulnerable people.
If you try this, do it under medical guidance if you have a history of eating disorders or if your cycles are already irregular.
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Reviewed by clinicians
Authored and reviewed by clinicians from the founding team. Information only, not personalised medical advice.
From the team behind Her Holistic Health, founded by Dr Divpreet Sacha, NHS-trained GP.