I just started my period within the last hour.
I wasn’t expecting my period for another 8 days. Normally it’s on time or a week late it has never ever been early.
I’m currently doing a 36 hour fast. Just about to hit hour 27 soon. My fast will be over at 7:30am. Other than being caught of guard I feel okay I’ve been craving chocolate so all day.
My question is should I break my fast because I started so early or just wait?
It’s just nine hours and you’re at the beginning of your period so I doubt you’ll suffer from a temporary low iron problem (that’s usually associated with very heavy flows). If it were me, I’d continue the fast. If you typically suffer from cramps, diarrhea, or other issues related to your period, who knows, those may be curbed a little by the fasting. Also, you may be experiencing a false start to your period. What has just started may disappear in a day and your period could kick in later, as usual. Being a girl can be so annoying!
Keep going. Drink water. Add lemon. Take a gentle absorption iron pill if you want. Or, if it’s night time, just sleep. & eat when you wake. FWIW, my first few periods after or during 24+ hour fasts were weird. But they regulated eventually. Source: not medical advice, only anecdotal but I fast 20 up to 44 hrs, and because I take iron about 4 times a week I’m never anemic. Used to be, but now I can even donate blood every 4 months. Iron & vitamin C baby.
Go by how you feel. If you’re feeling fine, there is nothing inherently dangerous about fasting on your period. Your body will let you know if it needs fuel. If you start feeling weak, dizzy, faint, or super nauseated, those are signs you need to to break your fast. Of course, stay hydrated and supplement electrolytes as usual.
(For me, I always find I’m extra hungry the week before my period, and then less hungry once it actually starts.)