Volume 24, Issue 4 (July - August 2025)
Payesh 2025, 24(4): 525-536 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Hosseini F, Hassanshahi R. What effect does fasting in Ramadan have on women's health? a review. Payesh 2025; 24 (4) :525-536
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2561-en.html
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2561-en.html
1- Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Midwifery Nursing, Research Center for Social Factors Affecting Health, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
2- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Social Determinants of Health Research Center، School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
2- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Social Determinants of Health Research Center، School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Abstract: (298 Views)
Objective(s): Ramadan intermittent fasting is a form of Sharia in which Muslims refrain from consuming food and drinks for thirty consecutive days from before sunrise to after sunset. Ramadan can result in changes in body weight, daily activities, sleeping patterns, and eating habits. Recognizing the important role of women in society, we found it necessary to review studies conducted on women's health.
Methods: This review study involved searching keywords such as "fasting in women," "women and fasting," and "fasting and healthy women" in Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Additionally, keywords such as "fasting Ramadan," "fasting Ramadan & female," and "Ramadan & healthy women" were used to search for relevant articles.
Results: After searching the databases and carefully reviewing titles and abstracts, 62 articles were identified. By applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 11 articles met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Overall, the results of the studies showed that fasting can be introduced as a possible factor in health-related events, including menstrual disorders (without changes in female hormone levels), reversible effects on other body hormones, reduction of harmful body fats, fasting blood sugar and liver enzymes.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of the studies showed that fasting is not only harmful, but is also likely beneficial in improving the health of many women.
Methods: This review study involved searching keywords such as "fasting in women," "women and fasting," and "fasting and healthy women" in Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Additionally, keywords such as "fasting Ramadan," "fasting Ramadan & female," and "Ramadan & healthy women" were used to search for relevant articles.
Results: After searching the databases and carefully reviewing titles and abstracts, 62 articles were identified. By applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 11 articles met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Overall, the results of the studies showed that fasting can be introduced as a possible factor in health-related events, including menstrual disorders (without changes in female hormone levels), reversible effects on other body hormones, reduction of harmful body fats, fasting blood sugar and liver enzymes.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of the studies showed that fasting is not only harmful, but is also likely beneficial in improving the health of many women.
type of study: Systematic Reviw |
Subject:
Sicial Medicine
Received: 2024/06/18 | Accepted: 2024/11/25 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/09/9 | Published: 2025/09/9
Received: 2024/06/18 | Accepted: 2024/11/25 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/09/9 | Published: 2025/09/9
References
1. Longo VD, Mattson MP. Fasting: Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.Cell Metabolism 2014;19:181-192 [DOI:10.1016/j.cmet.2013.12.008]
2. Malinowski B, Zalewska K, Węsierska A, Sokołowska MM, Socha M, Liczner G, et al. Intermittent fasting in cardiovascular disorders-an Overview. Nutrients 2019;11:673-691 [DOI:10.3390/nu11030673]
3. Jahrami HA, Faris ME, Janahi AI, Janahi MI, Abdelrahim DN, Madkour MI, et al. Does four-week consecutive, dawn-to-sunset intermittent fasting during Ramadan affect cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy adults? A Systematic review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 2021;31:273-301 [DOI:10.1016/j.numecd.2021.05.002]
4. Faris M, Jahrami H, Abdelrahim D, Bragazzi N, BaHammam A. The Effects of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on liver function in healthy adults: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2021;178:108951 [DOI:10.1016/j.diabres.2021.108951]
5. Rostamdokht Masnad Shahri A, Ghahremani Moghaddam M, Reiter RJ, Bijeh N. The Effect of Ramadan Fasting and Melatonin Supplementation on Sleep Quality in Male Athletes. Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health 2021;10: 136-142
6. Fernando HA, Zibellini J, Harris RA, Seimon RV, Sainsbury A. Effect of Ramadan fasting on weight and body composition in healthy non-athlete adults: A Systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients 2019;11:478-502 [DOI:10.3390/nu11020478]
7. Feyzi P, Mousavi JSM, Oroojalian F, Amani A. The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the Immune System Function. Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences 2023;14:126-130 ]persian[ [DOI:10.32592/nkums.14.4.126]
8. Dong TA, Sandesara PB, Dhindsa DS, Mehta A, Arneson LC, Dollar AL, et al. Intermittent fasting: A heart healthy dietary pattern? The American Journal of Medicine 2020;133:901-907 [DOI:10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.03.030]
9. Kim BH, Joo Y, Kim M-S, Choe HK, Tong Q, Kwon O. Effects of intermittent fasting on the circulating levels and circadian rhythms of hormones. Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021;36:745-756 [DOI:10.3803/EnM.2021.405]
10. Nair PM, Khawale PG. Role of therapeutic fasting in women's health: An overview. Journal of Mid-life Health 2016;7:61-64 [DOI:10.4103/0976-7800.185325]
11. Hooshiar SH, Yazdani A, Jafarnejad S. Effect of modified alternate day fasting diet on the severity of premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life in women with overweight or obesity: A trial study protocol. British Medical Journal BMJ Open 2023;13:066740 [DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066740]
12. Shahabi S, Esmaeilzadeh S, Golsorkhtabar AM, Faramarzi M, Firouzjahi A, Esmaeili T. Does Islamic fasting affect gonadotropin around female ovulation? International Journal of Fertility and Sterility. 2010;4:94-97
13. Vezarati F, Daneshpoor E. Records in the Holy Shari'ah of Islam and the examination of its jurisprudential documentation. Political Sociology of Iran 2022;28:888-913]persian[
14. Mousavi Azadeh SR, Esfandiar I, Razavi SH. Reflections on Fasting in Jurisprudence; A Criminal Act or a Forbidden Act? Fares Law Research 2022;5:537-552 ]persian[
15. Athar S, Habib M. Management of stable type 2 diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] during Islamic fasting in Ramadan. Hamdard Medicus 1994:94-108
16. Husain R, Duncan M, Cheah S, Ch'Ng S. Effects of fasting in Ramadan on tropical Asiatic Moslems. British Journal of Nutrition 1987;58:41-48 [DOI:10.1079/BJN19870067]
17. Frost G, Pirani S. Meal frequency and nutritional intake during Ramadan: A pilot study. Human Nutrition Applied Nutrition 1987;41:47-50
18. Moola S, Munn Z, Sears K, Sfetcu R, Currie M, Lisy K, et al. Conducting systematic reviews of association (etiology): The Joanna Briggs Institute's Approach. JBI Evidence Implementation 2015;13:163-169 [DOI:10.1097/XEB.0000000000000064]
19. Nour M, Lutze SA, Grech A, Allman-Farinelli M. The relationship between vegetable intake and weight outcomes: a systematic review of cohort studies. Nutrients 2018;10:1626-1647 [DOI:10.3390/nu10111626]
20. Al Hourani HM, Atoum MF, Akel S, Hijjawi N, Awawdeh S. Effects of Ramadan fasting on some haematological and biochemical parameters. Jordan Jurnal Of Biological Sciences 2009;2:103-108
21. Al-Hourani H, Atoum M. Body composition, nutrient intake and physical activity patterns in young women during Ramadan. Singapore Medical Journal 2007;48:906-910
22. Alsowaid L, Perna S, Peroni G, Gasparri C, Alalwan TA, Rondanelli M. Multidimensional evaluation of the effects of ramadan intermittent fasting on the health of female students at the university of bahrain. Arab Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 2021;28:360-369 [DOI:10.1080/25765299.2021.1975403]
23. Çağlayan EÇ, Göçmen AG, Delibas N. Effects of long-term fasting on female hormone levels: Ramadan model. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology 2014;41:17-19 [DOI:10.12891/ceog15722014]
24. Ikhsan M, Siregar MFG, Muharam R. The relationship between Ramadan fasting with menstrual cycle pattern changes in teenagers. Middle East Fertility Society Journal 2017;22:43-47 [DOI:10.1016/j.mefs.2016.08.004]
25. Yavangi M, Amirzargar MA, Amirzargar N, Dadashpour M. Does Ramadan fasting has any effects on menstrual cycles? Iranian journal of Reproductive Medicine 2013;11:145-150
26. Akhtaruzzaman M, Hoque N, Choudhury M, Uddin MJ, Parvin T. Effect of Ramadan fasting on serum lipid profile of Bangladeshi female volunteers. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Biochemistry 2014;7:47-51 [DOI:10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22412]
27. Ahmed OA. Effect of Ramadan fasting on red and white blood cell parameters in healthy females. Gazi Medical Journal 2019;30:1-3 [DOI:10.12996/gmj.2019.01]
28. Bahrayni S, Vakili R, Nematy M, Norouzy A, Hashemy SI, Ebrahimi M, et al. The effect of Ramadan fasting on thyroid hormones in 9-13 years old pre‐menarche girls. Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health 2013;1:46-52
29. Nafar Abadi MT, Amini M, Azizi F. Thyroid and Thyrotropin Hormone Concentrations in Healthy Women during Ramadan. Pejouhesh dar Pezeshki (Research in Medicine) 1993;17:31-35]persian[
30. Hejazi K, Nikroo H, Attarzadeh Hosseini R, Nematy M. Comparing the effect of fasting and physical activity on active and non-active males' body composition, serum osmolarity levels and some parameters of electrolytes. Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences SSU_Journals 2012;20:71-82
31. Gumaa K, Mustafa K, Mahmoud N, Gader A. The effects of fasting in Ramadan: 1. Seram uric acid and lipid concentrations. British Journal of Nutrition 1978;40:73-81 [DOI:10.1079/BJN19780161]
32. Sweileh N, Schnitzler A, Hunter G, Davis B. Body composition and energy metabolism in resting and exercising muslims during Ramadan fast. The Journal of Sports Medicine and PHysical fitness 1992;156:32-63
33. Oppliger RA, Bartok C. Hydration testing of athletes. Sports Medicine 2002;32:959-971 [DOI:10.2165/00007256-200232150-00001]
34. Trabelsi K, El Abed K, Trepanowski JF, Stannard SR, Ghlissi Z, Ghozzi H, et al. Effects of Ramadan fasting on biochemical and anthropometric parameters in physically active men. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine 2011;2:134-144 [DOI:10.5812/asjsm.34775]
35. Tayebi SM, GHanbari NA, Hanachi P, GHorban AGF. The effect of Ramadan fasting and weight-lifting training on plasma volume, glucose and lipids profile of male weight-lifters. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 2010;13:57-62 [DOI:10.5539/gjhs.v2n1p160]
36. Hosseini SRA, Hejazi K. The effects of Ramadan fasting and physical activity on blood hematological-biochemical parameters. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 2013;16:845-849
37. Khudhur PK, Abdulkareem SM, Saeed RH, Rahamn LQ. Impact of ramadan fasting on healthy adult males: immuno-bio-chemical study. Diyala Journal of Medicine 2017;13:72-79 [DOI:10.26505/DJM.13023540813]
38. Khedmatgozar E, Ahmadizad S, Salimi-Avansar A. Interaction effects of endurance training and Ramadan fasting on plasma levels of fibrinolytic factors in men. Sport Physiology 2014;6:15-30 ]persian[
39. Mushtaq R, Akram A, Mushtaq R, Khwaja S, Ahmed S. The role of inflammatory markers following Ramadan Fasting. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences 2019;35:77-81 [DOI:10.12669/pjms.35.1.95]
40. Nikseresht A, Basirat N. The effect of aerobic exercises on the level of lipid and glucose in the blood of fasting men. Pars Journal of Medical Sciences 2022;8:1-6]persian[ [DOI:10.29252/jmj.8.4.1]
41. Kul S, Savaş E, Öztürk ZA, Karadağ G. Does Ramadan fasting alter body weight and blood lipids and fasting blood glucose in a healthy population? A meta-analysis. Journal of Religion and Health 2014;53:29-42 [DOI:10.1007/s10943-013-9687-0]
42. Azizi F, Rasouli H. Serum glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, protein and albumin concentrations during Ramadan. Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI) 1987;1:38-41]persian[
43. Mafauzy M, Mohammed W, Anum M, Zulkifli A, Ruhani A. A study of the fasting diabetic patients during the month of Ramadan. The Medical Journal of Malaysia 1990;45:14-7
44. Laajam M. Ramadan fasting and non-insulin-dependent diabetes: effect on metabolic control East. African Medical Journal 1990;67:732-736
45. Rashed AH.The fast of Ramadan. BMJ: British Medical Journal 1992;304:521-522 [DOI:10.1136/bmj.304.6826.521]
46. Ghiravani Z, Mesbahzadieh B. The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Secretion Thyroid Hormones In Healthy Male Adults. Journal of Guilan University of Medical Sciences 2006;14:27-32 ]persian[
47. KhoshniatNikoo M, Shadman Z, Larijani B. Ramadan fasting, mental health and sleep-wake pattern. Iranian South Medical Journal 2012;15:127-131
48. Momenifar F, Raji A, Jafarnezhadgero AA, Yousefi Bilehsavar O, Yarahmadi J. The Effect of Ramadan Fasting Combined With Regular Aerobic Exercise on Cortisol Level and Trait-State Anxiety in Female Professional Athletes. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2000;11:320-331]persian[ [DOI:10.32598/SJRM.11.3.7]
49. Javanbakht M. Effect of Ramadan fasting on self-esteem and mental health of students. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health 2009;11:73-266]persian[
Send email to the article author
| Rights and Permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |