In the months leading up to their weddings, many young people resort to extremely restrictive diets in an attempt to look a certain way on their big day often driven by societal pressure and unrealistic
beauty standards. While modest weight loss may appear harmless, gastroenterologists and hormone specialists are sounding the alarm. Hospitals are reporting a growing number of emergency admissions involving young women preparing for their weddings who present with severe hormonal imbalances triggered by extreme pre-wedding dieting.
Dr. Sukrit Singh Sethi, Director & Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram and Dr. Mahesh Gupta, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi share all you need to know:
Doctors are observing a cluster of patients in their twenties and early thirties presenting with absent menstrual cycles, extreme fatigue, hair loss, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood swings, and sudden fluctuations in weight. These symptoms typically emerge after weeks or months of crash dieting combined with excessive exercise. This phenomenon reflects the body’s survival response to prolonged nutritional deprivation.
When caloric intake drops significantly, the body conserves energy by shutting down non-essential physiological functions, including reproductive processes. This state—often caused by insufficient energy availability disrupts the delicate balance of estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol. Over time, this imbalance may lead to irregular or absent periods, fertility issues, and long-term metabolic damage.
Gut health plays a crucial role in hormonal regulation. Eliminating essential food groups can impair digestion, compromise nutrient absorption, and disrupt the gut microbiome. An imbalanced gut may further aggravate hormonal disturbances, leading to symptoms such as bloating, constipation, acid reflux, and food sensitivities—often incorrectly attributed solely to stress.
Another growing concern is the widespread promotion of detox teas, laxatives, diet pills, and protein-only regimens on social media. While these methods may produce rapid, short-term weight loss, they place significant strain on the liver and digestive system. Over time, this strain can increase inflammation and reduce insulin sensitivity, making long-term weight management more difficult even after major life milestones have passed.
Mental health is also deeply affected. Rigid dieting and intense exercise routines elevate cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Persistently high cortisol levels disrupt sleep, affect mood, and promote fat storage particularly around the abdomen ironically undermining weight-loss efforts.
Healthy weight loss should never feel like self-punishment. Sustainable fat loss requires a balanced diet that includes adequate protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Equally important are sufficient sleep, hydration, and effective stress management.
Individuals are strongly encouraged to start early, prioritize overall well-being over quick fixes, and seek professional guidance rather than following unverified online trends. A wedding may last a day, but hormonal health impacts a lifetime.
Aesthetic goals should never take precedence over long-term health. Nourishing the body, maintaining balance, and respecting physiological needs are not only safer approaches but also the only true path to lasting confidence and well-being on the wedding day and beyond. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to serious hormonal emergencies with lifelong consequences.
