Assuming it's not something you're eating that's triggering (sweeteners have been known to do that, too, btw), it's no uncommon for this way of eating to change women's hormones and what happens during certain parts of the cycle. If they're too unbearable, there are a few PCOS sites that offer dietary plans that take the cyclical nature of our hormones into account and try to optimize for them. Even if you don't have PCOS, it's probably worth a look and useful as a template.

I found a few things changed when I went LCHF, and especially when I dropped my carbs way down:

1. I actually got a period! This is huge, because I have PCOS and have had amenorrhea for close to a decade.
2. My period is now almost like clockwork. December seems to be a "skip month" for me (two years in a row, I didn't have one in December). I highly suspect it's due to the stress and the fact that I'm least likely to eat as well as I should.
3. I got PMS symptoms. I actually suspect it would qualify as PMDD, but I have a lot more noticeable symptoms of PMS now. Namely, the cravings and some gnarly depression. It sucks, but I highly suspect it's due to the re-balancing of hormones and will likely pass once they level out. I used to have regular periods before my first pregnancy, and have very little PMS, so I know I was at least at one point in time capable of it. It's just a matter of seeing if I can get back to that. I just got my Mirena removed, so that might help me, too.

For a lot of women, this seems to be a temporary thing. Things level back out once you've been low carb for a few months. That first month or two can be rocky, though. Just do the best you can and try to stick to it, and you'll be good.

I find my hunger is cyclical as well, and I don't only mean based on where I'm at in my monthly cycle (although the hunger monster is at its unusually insatiable peak during PMS week). There are days I'll eat very little, but then the next day or a couple days later I'll want to eat almost constantly. I figure it all balances out in the end.

My cycle is finally (seems to be) under control. I am back to a regular 28 day cycle. I am having less PMS symptoms, less sweet cravings, the hormone rage monster seems to be on a firmly controlled leash and my monthly migraines are now nothing more than a twitch the past two cycles. Bloating now is also minimal and I have actually manged to lose a pound while on TOM this time. Usually I gain 5 in bloat. Now I crave fat during my TOM and good news is I can feed the fat monster.

Anywho, back to the original question, My hunger does seem to be TOM cycle related mostly. I do have the occasional day here and there where all I want to do is eat and I am ok with that because the next few days I may eat a lot less so it works out in the end. But it is nothing I can put a finger on the definite cause. Some days I am just hungrier than others. I am still losing, I feel good, so I am happy.

I definitely have more intense hunger days, too ... and other days I'm not that hungry and don't meet my calorie goal. I haven't linked it with cycle yet but I've only been on this WOE for 10 weeks and my cycles have been weird so a pattern hasn't really emerged yet.

Not to make light of things but, that is the one and only thing that's good about getting old-no more periods!!!LOL!!! I wish I would have found this WOE when I did have them. I think it would have helped the symptoms.

fatchimom wrote: »

Not to make light of things but, that is the one and only thing that's good about getting old-no more periods!!!LOL!!! I wish I would have found this WOE when I did have them. I think it would have helped the symptoms.

^ I wish I had that to look forward to. My mom and grandmother didn't hit menopause until their early 60's. For some reason, the idea that this bs will stop in 30 years is not comforting! Grandma said my great grandmother was the same way. I guess g-grandma went to the doctor (at around 62) because her period stopped. Her doctor said "Don't you think it's about time?".