Period FAQs

how to relieve bloating and gas during period

by Chance Macejkovic Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Here are some ways to reduce period bloating:

  • follow a low-sodium diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
  • drink lots of water
  • skip caffeine and alcohol
  • limit processed foods
  • exercise regularly
  • take a diuretic
  • talk to your doctor about whether birth control pills may help

Full Answer

What can I take to reduce period bloating?

How can you treat and prevent period bloating?

  1. Eat the right foods. You should avoid eating too much salt. ...
  2. Drink lots of water. Make sure you drink plenty of water on the days leading up to your period. ...
  3. Skip alcohol and caffeine. Experts believe that both alcohol and caffeine contribute to bloating and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
  4. Exercise regularly. ...
  5. Consider medication. ...

How to stop bloating before and during period?

How to get relief from period bloating using remedies/alternate medicine

  1. Consume fruits. Several fruits like orange, watermelon, grapes, and lemon relax the inner lining of the stomach and have a soothing sensation in the body.
  2. Primrose oil. Primrose oil comes in tablet and is readily available in the market. ...
  3. Diuretics. ...
  4. Vitamin and mineral supplements. ...
  5. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  6. Hot towels/heating pads. ...

How to get rid of pain and bloating during ovulation?

  • Antibloating medication: These are available OTC. ...
  • Water-reduction pills: Also known as diuretics, these are only available by a prescription from your doctor. ...
  • Hormonal birth control pills: Birth control pills may help you with bloating and other premenstrual syndrome symptoms, if you’re still having periods, because they can stabilize your hormones. ...

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How to reduce premenstrual bloating?

To help limit bloating before your period, you can try the following:

  • Avoid salty foods.
  • Eat potassium-rich foods.
  • Try natural diuretics (e.g., spinach, asparagus, watermelon, cucumber, and garlic).
  • Avoid refined carbohydrates. They can cause an increase in blood sugar levels, which further raises insulin levels and causes the kidneys to retain more sodium.
  • Exercise regularly.

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How to stop bloating during period?

Here are some ways to reduce period bloating: follow a low-sodium diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. drink lots of water. skip caffeine and alcohol. limit processed foods. exercise regularly. take a diuretic. talk to your doctor about whether birth control pills may help.

When does bloating start?

Symptoms of PMS can begin a week or two before your period starts. You may bloat every month, once in a while, or not at all.

What phase of the cycle does PMS occur?

The short answer is hormones. PMS occurs during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle. That’s when the hormones estrogen and progesterone can fluctuate. It’s also when the lining of your uterus gets thicker. If you become pregnant, the fertilized egg attaches to your thickened uterine lining. If you’re not pregnant, the thickened lining leaves your body, and you have a period.

What are the symptoms of PMS?

Besides bloating, other common symptoms include: cramping.

What does it feel like to have bloated?

It may feel like you’ve gained weight or like your abdomen or other parts of your body are tight or even swollen.

How to get your period to last longer?

2. Drink lots of water. Make sure you drink plenty of water on the days leading up to your period. Try carrying a water bottle around with you, and aim to fill it up several times a day.

Can you have bloating before your period?

Mild to moderate bloating that begins before your period and goes away soon after your period starts is generally nothing to worry about. As long as you’re able to function normally and your symptoms occur around your period, most likely all you need to do to reduce the symptoms is try some lifestyle modifications. However, if you have more severe bloating that gets in the way of your daily activities, talk to your doctor.

Why does my stomach bloat during my period?

Depending on the cause of the gas and its level of discomfort, the most common causes of period bloating include; 1. Intake of alcohol and caffeine.

What is bloating?

Bloating in its strictest meaning simply refers to having an accumulation of gas in the abdominal cavity.

How do you know if you are pregnant?

Pregnancy. When you are pregnant, you will first of all miss your period then have some bloating in the abdomen with cramps. Other signs that you are pregnant include morning sickness, food cravings and aversions, and constipation.

What does bloating mean in medical terms?

In this regard, therefore, bloating shall be taken to mean the general increase in the gas or fluid in various parts of the body.

What is it called when you have no period?

Menopause. Menopause is another situation where you will experience cramps and bloating but have no period. If you are above 40 and you have missed your period for the length of a year, then you are in menopause.

What are the symptoms of a cyst in the ovary?

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that may develop on the ovaries. These sacs have many symptoms including pain during sex, bloating, nausea and vomiting. At times, you may experience painful bo wel movements when you have ovarian cysts. Pituitary gland and thyroid problems.

Does alcohol make your premenstrual cycle worse?

Alcohol will make most premenstrual symptoms such as breast swelling, bloating and mood swings worse.

Symptoms

Period bloating is very common. In fact, over 90% of people who menstruate report experiencing symptoms like bloating before or during their periods. 3 PMS symptoms can begin any time after your first menstrual period, but usually by your early 20s. Some women experience more severe symptoms in the late reproductive years.

Tips to Reduce Bloating

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to reduce period bloating, which include: 3

Why Bloating Happens

When it comes to just about any period symptom, you can blame it on the hormones. Changing hormone levels leads to a variety of changes in the body. Each month that you do not become pregnant, your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels fall significantly. This rapid decline in hormones can lead to water retention and bloating.

Risk Factors

Most people who menstruate experience symptoms around their periods. The following risk factors can increase your chances of period bloating: 1

Home Remedies

If you have tried to improve period bloating with lifestyle changes and are still uncomfortable, you may be considering a home remedy. It’s important to note that you should always talk with your healthcare provider before beginning a new dietary supplement. Home remedies that may improve period bloating include:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If period bloating has become so severe that lifestyle changes do not help and you are unable to keep up with your daily activities, talk with your healthcare provider or gynecologist. They will likely ask you to keep a symptom diary to understand when the bloating starts and what (if anything) helps it.

Summary

Period bloating is a condition that occurs before or during your period. It causes a distended belly and an uncomfortable, tight feeling. Period bloating is believed to be caused by the hormone changes that take place each month during your period.

What is gas pain during your period?

You and your doctor can get rid of gas pains during your period using several medications and home remedies.

What are the symptoms of gas and bloating?

If you have persistent or severe gas and bloating, and if you have any of these symptoms see a doctor or other healthcare professional, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, or if you think you are or may be pregnant.

What is the pain in the belly area?

Menstrual cramps (pain in the belly and pelvic area) are experienced by women as a result of menses. Menstrual cramps are not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Menstrual cramps are common, and may be accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.

How long is the average period?

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days . There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack of a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding.

What happens when gas gets stuck in your digestive system?

When gas gets stuck in your digestive system, you may feel pain or bloating. If changes in your diet or other habits don't fix it, you might need your doctor's help.

How to get rid of gas pain?

This makes it easier to pass the gas. To reduce gas pain at home, you can try: Drinking plenty of water. Eating smaller portions.

Why does my period hurt?

Period gas pain is caused by a buildup of gas in your gastrointestinal tract. The gas produced from the digestive process travels along with the food as it is digested. Since your digestive system has slowed down, the food you eat doesn’t travel as fast as it usually does through your system.

How to not feel bloated during period?

Eat slowly: and since your appetite might also be heightened, you might have a tendency to binge or eat your meals too fast. Try eating more slowly – which means you’ll chew your food better and not stuff yourself – to improve your digestion and not feel so bloated and gassy during your period.

How to reduce bloating and flatulence?

Drink lots of water: besides hydrating, water can help ease digestion and that might decrease the bloating and flatulence.

What hormones increase during a cycle?

During your cycle, the levels of the hormone oestrogen will rise, peak, and then decrease. Simple, right? Well, not so much.

What to do if you have flatulence?

Try simethicone or activated charcoal: if your flatulence is serious, then you might want to try simethicone chew pills, or activated charcoal supplements. These two allegedly help with gas – but be sure to inform your doctor, as activated charcoal might interfere with some medication.

Does progesterone cause diarrhoea?

As you know, progesterone levels will start rising and peak in the days before your period. As it happens, progesterone also has an effect on your intestines by either causing reduced bowel motility, like oestrogen, which translates into flatulence, bloating and constipation, or by causing diarrhoea. We know, why can’t our hormones give us a break, right? But that’s not all. High levels of progesterone can also trigger liquid retention which cause further bloating.

Can you eat beans during your period?

But only on the days of your period or days leading up to it. Fibre-rich foods are normally very good for your body. Do you know what are the best foods to et on your period to reduce the symptoms?

Can stress mess with your period?

Stress can mess with your period; know how.

What to do if you are constipated during your period?

Take a stool softener or laxative if you tend to get constipated during your period.

What happens if you have estrogen during your period?

These higher levels of estrogen cause gas, constipation, and trapped air and gas in your intestinal tract.

Why do farts smell?

There are a few reasons why period farts smell have such a… unique scent. The main reason being that your gut bacteria change during your period, which can make flatulence extra fragrant. The food you eat also contributes to the smell.

How to get rid of smelly farts?

This doesn’t mean you’re destined to clear a room for three to eight days every month until menopause, though. Drink plenty of water to help move waste through your body more efficiently. Exercise to help you stay regular and avoid constipation.

Why do prostaglandins help the uterus?

Prostaglandins help your uterus contract to shed its lining every month. If your body produces too many, the excess prostaglandins enter your bloodstream and cause other smooth muscles in your body to contract — including those in your bowels.

What foods make gas smell worse?

Avoid foods that make gas smell worse, like cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

How to get rid of waste in your body?

Drink plenty of water to help move waste through your body more efficiently.

Why Does Period Bloating Happen?

The menstrual cycle occurs monthly and is the process of a woman’s body continually readying itself for pregnancy. In the weeks prior to menstruation, often called a period, the uterus creates a lining to prepare to nourish a potentially fertilized egg.

Progesterone, Estrogen and Bloating

Progesterone and estrogen are two hormones that fluctuate during a menstrual cycle that have significant impact on a woman’s fluid retention.

Period Bloating Remedies

One key to managing this cyclic bloat has to do with your diet. In the days leading up to the beginning of your period, try limiting salty foods, which may make water retention worse.

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