The body’s ability to utilize certain macronutrients for energy appears to fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. When estrogen is elevated during the follicular phase, carbohydrates are used more readily, and glycogen storage may be reduced. Conversely, when progesterone is elevated during the luteal phase, there is a greater breakdown of protein, increased utilization of fat, and a slight increase in basal metabolic rate.[1][2] Whether altering dietary macronutrient intake alongside these metabolic shifts is advantageous for health outcomes — including fertility, exercise performance, and menstrual-related symptoms — requires further research.
Could the menstrual cycle affect dietary intake and metabolism?
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•Last Updated: April 23, 2025
The menstrual cycle influences the body's utilization of macronutrients; carbohydrates are more readily used during the follicular phase, and increased fat and protein breakdown occurs in the luteal phase. Further research is needed to determine the health benefits of adjusting dietary macronutrient intakes in response to these metabolic changes.