Period FAQs

why do periods cause bloating

by Darius Cummings Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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As well as causing menstrual bleeding, research suggests that changes in progesterone and estrogen levels cause the body to retain more water and salt. The body's cells become swollen with water, causing the feeling of bloating.Sep 25, 2018

Full Answer

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.

Why am I so bloated during my period?

This can be related to:

  • diet
  • exercise
  • stress
  • smoking
  • swallowed air
  • another health condition

Why do we feel bloated during our periods?

During the menstrual cycle there is a major fluctuation of hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone, and this causes fluid retention, swelling and the uncomfortable feeling of bloating. Women actually gain pounds of water during this time due to the ability of estrogen to cause fluid to be retained.

Why are bowel movements so painful during periods?

  • Rectum: Endometriosis implanting the rectal wall often cause severe painful bowel movements, constipation, and even rectal bleeding. ...
  • Colon and small intestine: Endometriosis can latch onto the outside of the intestines, both large (colon) and small. ...
  • Appendix: The appendix is a common organ for endometriosis lesions to spread. ...

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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.

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 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.

How many women have PMS?

Up to 85 percent of women experience PMS symptoms, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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.

What is period bloating?

What is called period bloating is actually fluid retention and results in a feeling of being overly full or being swollen around the waist area. It is quite often very uncomfortable, annoying and bothersome.

What to do when you have bloating during your cycle?

Reduce your dietary intake of sugar, alcohol and caffeine around the middle of your cycle because these items can also be responsible for some additional bloating.

What is stage 2 bloating?

Stage 2 – Luteal – there is not at much in this stage as progesterone is produced in higher quantities. Period Bleeding – shedding of the excess fluid along with blood and tissue as the bloat is relieved in this stage. Bloating normally occurs in the pre menstrual or pms stage, follicular and period stages.

How long does a woman's cycle last?

There are multiple stages in a woman’s cycle and they are: Pre Menstrual Disorder last for 2-3 weeks and can have some bloating involved. Stage 1 – Follicular – estrogen levels skyrocket as the uterine lining thickens and bloating is stronger as ovulation occurs in the stage.

What foods should I avoid to avoid bloating?

Avoid red meat and don’t overeat and avoid any unneeded fats such as adding oils when cooking. No fried foods, chips or nuts. Avoid the gassy foods that are mostly in the vegetable family such as broccoli, beans, cabbage, lentils, cauliflower, milk, corn, potatoes, peas, artichokes and wheat bran in order to prevent period blo ating and menopausal bloating.

Why do women gain weight during their period?

Women actually gain pounds of water during this time due to the ability of estrogen to cause fluid to be retained.

How long does it take for a woman to bloat?

For those short 2 to 3 days however, life can be pretty miserable for women dealing with this water retention and bloat. When estrogen levels rise, bloating increases and when estrogen levels fall, ...

Does Ovulation Cause Bloating

The term bloating refers to feeling increased abdominal pressure without an accompanying increase in abdominal size. Swelling, on the other hand, is when your bodys tissues retain fluid. Both conditions can make you feel puffy.

When To See A Doctor

For most women, period bloating is unpleasant but does not stop them from being able to get on with their day.

You Have A Salty Tooth

Those potato chips might satisfy your crunchy cravings, but salt acts like a magnet to water, leading to fluid retention, says Taub-Dix. In addition to an inflated middle, you might notice your rings are tighter and your ankles are swollen after inhaling an order of fries, says Taub-Dix.

Youre All Kinds Of Backed Up

Your cravings might have you noshing more, but thats not the only reason you could end up with bloating. According to M. Kathleen Borchardt, MD, an ob-gyn at Houston Methodist, levels of the hormone progesterone rise in your body before your cycle starts, and it acts as a smooth muscle relaxant, slowing down spasms in your gastrointestinal tract.

Is Bloating A Sign Of Period Or Pregnancy

Bloating could be a symptom of either PMS or early pregnancy. Bloating before and during a period is triggered by changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy also cause a feeling of bloating, similar to common symptoms just before the start of your period.

Youre Having A Ton Of Cravings Therefore Eating Differently

Wild guess: Your period probably doesn’t leave you craving broccoli. It’s the salty and sweet stuff that’s on your mind.

When Is Period Bloating A Sign Of Something More Serious

Symptoms of bloating should be short-lived, lasting only a few days, Dweck says. They usually resolve with onset of flow. But there are moments when bloating may warrant a trip to a doctor, especially if your symptoms are starting to interfere with your day-to-day activities.

How can you get rid of period bloating?

If bloating before and/or during your period is an issue for you, try to avoid foods that are known to cause or increase the frequency and severity of bloating. If you do need a salty snack, try to consume those foods in moderation. “Reducing salt intake can decrease water retention, and the body will respond with a diminished sensation of feeling bloating,” Dr. Karen Patrusky, MD, tells Woman's Day.

What to eat to help with bloating during period?

Foods that are natural diuretics — like asparagus, cucumber, ginger, and watermelon — can also help relieve uncomfortable bloating. And, of course, drinking plenty of water can help flush out your kidneys and improve your period symptoms.

Can you bloat during your period?

Bloating during your period is common, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer through it.

Does sweat help with bloating?

Patrusky also suggests you get your sweat on to reduce bloating, even if you're feeling less than up to it. “Exercise can improve energy and mood by increasing endorphins,” she says. “Exercise also induces sweat, encourages hydration, and makes us more mindful about what foods we put into our bodies.”

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 period bloating even happen?

As you might suspect, it all comes down to hormones. The body’s level of hormones like estrogen and progesterone take a steep dive in the days before your period. It’s that sharp drop, experts think, that can trigger PMS symptoms, including water retention that makes you feel bloated.

How to stop bloating during period?

Check your salt intake. Having too much sodium in your system can cause your cells to hang on to more water, which can lead to puffiness. Sticking with a lower sodium diet, at least around your period, can go a long way toward keeping belly bloat at bay.

How long does it take for bloat to start?

In general, you can count on PMS symptoms to start up around 5 days before your period is expected to start — and ease up around when your period arrives.

What to eat to get rid of bloating?

You can pop a vitamin B complex supplement (check with your doc first) or get more B6-rich foods like chickpeas, tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey, and bananas. 6. Get moving. Exercise keeps things in your gastrointestinal system moving, making it a go-to bloat fighter in general. It might be especially beneficial for bloating triggered by PMS ...

What vitamins help with PMS?

Beef up your B6. Vitamin B6 is kind of a PMS all-star. While research is limited and more quality studies are needed, B6 supplements may help ease PMS symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, acne, and even mood changes like depression and irritability.

Does bloating go away after a period?

Mild period bloating that sticks around for a few days and then goes away generally isn’t a cause for concern. If it’s to the point where your bloating or other PMS symptoms are affecting your quality of life, you should definitely give your doc a heads up.

Do jeans fit when you have a period?

Forget the app or calendar. If you deal with PMS bloating, all you need to know that your period is coming is your jeans — which go from fitting fine to uncomfortably tight, literally overnight.

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.

Does bloating cause weight gain?

Does bloating before a period cause weight gain? Bloating caused by water retention or as a symptom of PMS will not result in weight gain. You may feel heavier, but once your period arrives and the bloating disappears, your body should feel normal again. Updated on September 24, 2020.

Does sugar make water retention worse?

Consuming lots of salty foods can make water retention worse. Reducing the intake of refined sugars is also an important step for reducing period bloating. High-sugar foods encourage the pancreas to release a hormone called insulin, which can lead to water retention and bloating.

When does bloating occur?

Bloating should occur for just a short period of time, likely around the time of your menstrual cycle if you’re in perimenopause or any time after you eat a large amount of food, eat very quickly, or eat foods that trigger bloating. Your stomach will protrude and change throughout the day with bloating.

How to stop bloating?

You can reduce bloating by making various lifestyle adjustments. These changes in behavior may also help you prevent bloating from occurring. Change your diet: Avoid foods that cause bloating. These include fatty foods, vegetables known to cause extra gas, and dairy products.

What is it called when you can't get pregnant?

This time is known as perimenopause . Menopause is defined as the lack of a menstrual period for 12 concurrent months. This happens because your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. After menopause , you can no longer get pregnant.

How to get rid of bloated stomach?

Skip chewing gum and carbonated beverages: These can fill up your stomach with air, leaving you with a bloated abdomen. Avoid smoking and alcohol: These can increase bloating. Drink plenty of water: You may experience bloating if you don’t stay hydrated enough.

Why does my stomach protrude?

Your stomach will protrude and change throughout the day with bloating. Your abdomen won’t fluctuate in size throughout the day if you’re experiencing weight gain. Weight gain is a symptom of menopause, and you can adopt certain lifestyle changes to help avoid extra pounds.

Is bloating a symptom of menopause?

Bloating isn’t the only symptom experienced by women going through peri menopause and menopause. Fluctuating hormones can also lead to:

When do women go through menopause?

Most women experience menopause in their early 50s, though you can go through it earlier or later. Once you haven’t experienced a period for 12 months, you’re considered postmenopausal.

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