Period FAQs

how to stop bloating on period

by Baby Krajcik MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Here are some ways to reduce period bloating:
  1. follow a low-sodium diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
  2. drink lots of water.
  3. skip caffeine and alcohol.
  4. limit processed foods.
  5. exercise regularly.
  6. take a diuretic.
  7. talk to your doctor about whether birth control pills may help.

Why am I still bloated after my period?

What causes it?

  • Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that happens when the uterus cell lining grows on the outside. ...
  • Adenomyosis. ...
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease. ...
  • Uterine fibroids. ...
  • Ovarian cysts. ...
  • Cervical stenosis. ...
  • Ectopic pregnancy. ...
  • Implantation. ...
  • Ovulation cramps (mittelschmerz) Mittelschmerz is lower abdominal pain on one side that’s caused by ovulation. ...

How to relieve bloating instantly?

  • exercise regularly to improve your digestion and help prevent bloating – exercise can also help when you're feeling bloated
  • chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing air
  • drink plenty of water
  • eat foods high in fibre if constipated
  • eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals

More items...

Do you get bloated before or during period?

Yes, the feeling of bloating just before a period is very common. It may occur every month, once in a while, or bloating may never occur at all. Once your period arrives, or a few days into it, the symptoms should disappear. As your period progresses, water retention declines rapidly and the swelling subsides.

What helps with period bloating?

Remedies

  1. Avoid salty foods. The sodium in salt can increase the amount of water a person’s body retains. ...
  2. Eat potassium-rich foods. Eating foods rich in potassium may help reduce period bloating. ...
  3. Try diuretics. ...
  4. Drink lots of water. ...
  5. Avoid refined carbohydrates. ...
  6. Exercise regularly. ...
  7. Consider the birth control pill. ...

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How to de-bloat during period?

The good news: There are some seriously easy steps you can take to de-bloat during your period. Switching up the foods you eat, like swapping in more potassium-filled foods and nixing the caffeine for a few days, can do some serious remedying to your bloated belly.

Why does period bloating happen in the first place?

You can thank fluctuations in estrogen levels and a sharp drop in progesterone right before your period. "When estrogen levels are higher, our bodies tend to retain water," says Meggie Smith, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellow at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

How long does it take for bloating to start?

Basically, it's a bloating double-whammy. Bloating usually starts to kick in about one to two days before the start of a woman's period, according to the Mayo Clinic. But some women experience symptoms up to five days beforehand, often interfering with normal activities.

How many women experience bloating during their period?

Because the truth is: An estimated 70 percent of women experience bloating during their period, according to Diana Bitner, MD, a Michigan-based ob-gyn.

What is the best medicine for bloating?

Ibuprofen and Naprosyn (found in brands like Aleve and Midol) block the chemicals that cause inflammation, and in turn, bloating, says Kelly Roy, MD, an ob-gyn in Phoenix. “A couple days before your period, take 200 to 400 milligrams every six to eight hours,” she says.

What foods can you eat to keep your body from puffing up?

Pick protein- and potassium-rich foods. Fill your plate with ingredients that won’t cause you to puff up. “ High-potassium foods like bananas, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and asparagus help promote a good balance of fluids,” says Isabel Smith, RD, a New York City-based dietitian and fitness expert.

When does bloating start?

Bloating usually starts to kick in about one to two days before the start of a woman's period.

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.

How to reduce bloating during periods?

Consume up to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, diluted in a glass of warm water to relax the stomach, digest food better, have better bowel movement, and reduce the bloating during periods. For best results, use organic apple cider vinegar.

How to get rid of cramps during periods?

Heating up the abdominal region with hot towels, hot bottles, and heating pads speed up the shedding of the internal lining of the uterus. This helps have the periods smoothly and reduces problems like cramps, back aches, and bloating.

What does it mean when you feel bloated?

Bloating is a condition when there is abnormal retention of water and gas in the body causing discomfort in lower abdomen, thighs, and pelvic pain. This is often accompanied with period like crampsand general lack of appetite. The feeling usually begins 2-3 days before the menstrual flow and continues with second day of menstruation.

What is it called when you have a lot of gas in your stomach?

Bloating is a condition when there is abnormal retention of water and gas in the body causing discomfort in lower abdomen, thighs, and pelvic pain. This is

Why do women feel cranky?

Most women feel crankiness and mood swings too. These are also effects of hormonal changes that disappear as menstrual flow begins.

What is the best pill to take for bloating?

Toxins, once out, relax the system and reduce the bloated feeling. Aloe vera pills are also an excellent natural form of diuretic. These should be taken with consultation from an expert as different body types have different needs.

Why does my lower abdomen feel bloated?

For several women, irregular bowel movement and gastric problems get triggered before and during the menstrual cycle. This leads to a bloated feeling in the lower abdomen and is often accompanied by pain in the lower back and abdomen.

Dont Skip Your Workout Routine

I get it: Working out is probably the last thing you feel like doing. But experts say getting your heart rate up is one of the best ways to alleviate PMS symptoms including bloat.

Skip Alcohol And Caffeine

Experts believe that both alcohol and caffeine contribute to bloating and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome . Instead of these beverages, drink more water.

Apply Pressure And Stay Bloat

Applying pressure to the GI tract can be another home remedies that can be effective in getting rid of the period bloating. In order to get rid of the gases, massage your abdomen in the direction of your GI tract. Heres a brief direction:

Minimize Foods That Can Cause Acid Reflux

Some foods that cause acid reflux can also exacerbate bloating. When you have acid reflux, you often swallow a lot of air to calm down your throat and stomach, causing bloat because thereâs just more air in your stomach.

Try Taking A Diuretic

Diuretic tablets help increase urine production which, in turn, helps in getting rid of water from your body and reducing water retention . You can also eat fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, and pineapples, which are natural diuretics .

Intake Of Alcohol And Caffeine

When you are used to taking alcohol, you will realize that it increases or makes worse the level of bloating as you tend towards your period.

How Long Does Period Bloating Last

Most people with periods experience the infamous bloat one to two days before bleeding begins. Some have symptoms one or two weeks in advance.

How to stop bloating during period?

Avoiding foods high in salt and refined carbohydrates may help relieve period bloating. There are many lifestyle changes that a woman can make that may help to reduce water retention. In turn, these changes may help relieve the symptoms of period bloating. 1. Avoid salty foods.

What foods help with period bloating?

Foods that act as natural diuretics include: asparagus. pineapples. peaches. cucumber. leeks. ginger.

What does it mean when you feel bloated before your period?

It may be accompanied by stomach cramps and backaches. Period bloating is when a woman feels her abdomen is heavy and swollen just before and at the start of her period. Bloating is also one of several premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms that can occur 1-2 weeks before a woman’s period.

What hormones cause a woman to bleed?

About a week before a woman’s period starts, levels of the hormone progesterone fall. Reduced levels of progesterone cause the uterus to shed its lining, which is what causes menstrual bleeding.

When do women experience bloating?

Many women experience bloating before and at the start of their period. Can certain lifestyle changes offer some relief?

Does bloating go away after a period?

However, if period bloating affects a woman’s daily life, it is a good idea for her to speak to her doctor. If bloating does not go away after a period, it is also a good idea to talk to a doctor.

Does potassium help with period bloating?

Research shows potassium decreases sodium levels and increases urine production. In this way, potassium may help reduce water retention and improve period bloating.

How to stop bloating before your period?

How do you stop bloating before your period? 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.

When does bloating start?

Bloating is a common early sign of PMS. A feeling of bloating may appear about a week before the start of your period. The feeling of bloating might increase and then get better in the first days of your period.

How often does bloating occur?

It may occur every month, once in a while, or bloating may never occur at all. Once your period arrives, or a few days into it, the symptoms should disappear. As your period progresses, water retention declines rapidly and the swelling subsides.

What happens the week before your period?

The week before your period, you may experience breast tenderness and swelling. Symptoms such as bloating, swollen arms and legs, and bags under the eyes can also appear. Swelling and bloating are common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that are caused by water retention. Whether other symptoms of PMS are present or not, ...

How long before your period does water retention affect your body?

Water retention associated with PMS can create a bloated, heavy feeling about a week before your period.

How to get rid of water retention in kidneys?

They can cause an increase in blood sugar levels, which further raises insulin levels and causes the kidneys to retain more sodium. Exercise regularly. Your health care provider can provide further advice on other possible remedies for water retention, such as diuretics.

What foods can help with water retention?

If you’re feeling puffy and bloated, foods that contain potassium, like bananas and dark leafy greens, may help reduce water retention. They do this by counteracting high levels of sodium in the body. Consuming lots of salty foods can make water retention worse.

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