Period FAQs

why do you gain weight on your period

by Mrs. Eveline Cummerata III Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Period-related weight gain is caused by hormonal fluctuations. It may be the result of water retention, overeating, sugar cravings, and skipping workouts due to cramps. Period bloating and gastrointestinal issues might also create the sensation of weight gain.Dec 7, 2018

How much weight do you normally gain during your period?

Weight gain during your period differs from person to person, as every is body is different. The average weight gain during periods is around two to six pounds. 2 Why do you gain weight during your period? There are a number of reasons why you might gain weight during your period and these are all down to the changes that women experience in their bodies during their menstruation.

How does weight gain affect your period?

The relationship between Weight and Periods

  • Weight and the Magnesium Level of Your Body. ...
  • The Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) A number of effects are inflicted to your body due to the premenstrual syndrome, which includes the mood or physical changes experienced by women prior to ...
  • Slow Metabolism. ...
  • Increased Food Cravings. ...
  • Water Retention. ...
  • PCOS. ...
  • Abdominal Cramping. ...

What your period weight gain is really from?

Period-related weight gain is caused by hormonal fluctuations. It may be the result of water retention, overeating, sugar cravings, and skipping workouts due to cramps.

How much weight does a woman gain during her period?

Whilst every woman differs, the general consensus is that us females can gain between 1 to 2 kg of weight (or 2 to 4 pounds) during our period. “Around the time of your period you may notice your weight gain is more than at other times during your menstrual cycle and some women can notice between 1-2kg during this time,” Dr Ellie tells us.

Is there anything I can do to alleviate period bloating?

How to control bloating during period?

What hormones are involved in breast tenderness?

How to get rid of a swollen thigh?

How long does it take for a period to end?

How much weight gain during period?

How much weight gain is normal?

See 4 more

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Do YOU Gain Weight Before or During Your Period? Read This!

Find out how much & what’s the average weight can you gain during PMS, how long does it last. How to Reduce, Prevent and Get rid of it fast Naturally!

Weight gain during period: Why it happens and how to prevent it

How much period weight gain is normal? Whilst every woman differs, the general consensus is that us females can gain between 1 to 2 kg of weight (or 2 to 4 pounds) during our period. “Around the time of your period you may notice your weight gain is more than at other times during your menstrual cycle (opens in new tab) and some women can notice between 1-2kg during this time,” Dr Ellie ...

Why do my clothes feel tight?

Period bloating or stomach cramps can make your clothes feel tight and uncomfortable. This isn’t true weight gain, but you might feel like you’ve gained a few extra pounds.

Why do I feel like I've gained weight?

Throughout your cycle, hormonal fluctuations can lead to GI issues like constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The discomfort and bloating in your stomach can make you feel like you’ve gained weight. Progesterone increases a week before your period.

What happens when you have a period?

As your period begins, your uterus releases prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause muscle contractions in the uterus and gut. You may have pelvic and abdominal pain. Prostaglandins can also cause diarrhea by disrupting electrolytes and fluid balance in the small intestine.

What is the physical symptom of premenstrual syndrome?

It’s a physical symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS includes a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that affect women several days to two weeks before their period. These symptoms are caused by the hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. PMS is very common. More than 90 percent of women who menstruate experience ...

What happens to estrogen before your period?

In the days before your period, estrogen and progesterone rapidly decrease. This tells your body that it’s time to begin menstruation.

Why does my body keep water?

When these hormones fluctuate, the tissues in your body accumulate more water. The result is water retention, or edema. Water retention may cause swelling or puffiness in your breasts, stomach, or extremities. This increases body weight, but not fat. Water retention is a common PMS symptom.

How long does it take for bloating to start before your period?

This causes abdominal pain during your period. Bloating may start five days before your period and continue into the first few days of menstruation. Stomach cramps, which begin one or two days before your period, can also last for a few days.

What percentage of women have PMS?

About 3 to 8 percent of women may experience a severe form of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Food cravings or binge eating are one of the symptoms of PMDD.

How to keep fluid weight at bay during menstruation?

To keep fluid weight at bay, avoid salty foods during the second half of your menstrual cycle. Skip the diuretics, says Amy Stephens, MD, a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic. “In severe cases some women may be prescribed them, but that should be something done in conjunction with your gynecologist,” says Dr. Stephens.

What are the symptoms of a woman's cycle?

4. PMS. For most women, their monthly “cycle” starts with at least one of the host of symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, about one or two weeks before their actual period begins. Bloating, food cravings, and weight gain are among the most common symptoms.

How does period affect your body?

Your period affects how well your gastrointestinal tract works to push out waste from your body. “Progesterone causes some relaxation of smooth muscle, leading to a reduction in gastrointestinal motility, which may lead to bloating and constipation in some women,” says Dr. Huddleston. To reduce both, increase the amount of fiber in your diet, particularly in the second half of the menstrual cycle, she suggests.

What is the name of the disorder that causes a woman to lose weight?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is an imbalance of reproductive hormones that causes metabolism problems. It affects one in 10 women of child bearing age. In obese women with PCOS, losing weight may help regulate their menstrual cycles.

How to offset weight gain during PMS?

To offset the weight gain during PMS or the second half of your cycle, increase exercise and focus on consuming healthy, nutrient-rich foods. RELATED: Why You Should Drink a Glass of Water Right Now. 5. PCOS.

Does progesterone cause weight gain?

Progesterone plays another weighty role during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It increases appetite, causing you to eat more. “Consistent overeating that is not offset by an increase in physical activity can lead to permanent weight gain,” says Dr. Huddleston.

How to get rid of uterine swelling?

Swimming is another good exercise, which increases metabolism without overexertion. Take Medications. Over-the-counter pain medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve painful cramps and uterine swelling. Ask your doctor to prescribe stronger pain relievers if ibuprofen does not provide adequate relief.

What happens if you have a low magnesium level during your period?

This may lead to low insulin levels which increases sugar craving as the brain perceives a drop in glucose levels. This in turn leads to increased sugar consumption and a gain in weight.

How to avoid weight gain during period?

Dietary Modification. Water retention often leads to weight gain. To avoid this, experts recommend limiting one's salt intake before and during the period. This means avoiding processed foods and junk food that contain large amounts of salt. Instead, eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, unsalted nuts and low-salt foods. Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption and stick to drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily.

How to get rid of a period?

Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption and stick to drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily. Exercise. Being physically active during your period helps reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Exercising also relieves stress, prevents depression, and reduces your appetite.

How long before your period does weight gain occur?

Experts at the Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center state that up to three-quarters of women are affected by PMS, and symptoms may appear 5-11 days before their period.

Does serotonin affect appetite?

Studies suggest that serotonin levels can influence depression and can lead to increases in appetite during a menstrual period. Consult a doctor about the use of birth control pills to regulate your hormonal levels, which may help relieve PMS symptoms including water retention and bloating. Dietary Modification.

What is the second phase of the menstrual cycle?

The luteal phase is the second phase of your menstrual cycle. It begins right after ovulation and ends when your period starts. Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some of the most popular explanations include:

What does it mean to gain weight before your period?

This weight gain is related to hormonal changes that occur in the luteal phase, which is the phase just before you get your period.

How to avoid feeling bloated during your period?

Fatty foods. Two things that might be able to help with PMS symptoms are exercising and drinking more water. It might seem counterintuitive, but increased water intake is one of the best things you can do to avoid feeling bloated and reduce the likelihood of weight gain before your period.

Why does my weight gain increase before my period?

This shift in hormone levels may also cause an increase in water retention before your period starts. That’s why most people who experience PMS weight gain return to their normal weight once they get their period.

What to do if you gain weight despite changes?

If you experience monthly weight gain despite making these changes, you may want to consult your health care provider. They may ask you to keep a symptom diary and suggest alternative options.

Does low magnesium cause weight gain?

A recent study found that low calcium and magnesium levels during the luteal phase lead to more severe PMS symptoms, including weight gain and bloating associated with fluid retention.

Can weight gain cause constipation?

These behavioral and physical symptoms can be mild to quite severe and can interfere with everyday life. Some people who experience weight gain before their period also report that their breasts get slightly larger and more tender. Some experience constipation, while others crave certain foods. These cravings are often for sweet, salty, ...

Why does my body retain water during my period?

Some water retention is happening because of these hormonal fluctuations. What's also making your body retain water are the sugar, caffeine and salt that you're soothing yourself with. (Yes, you may snack on junk food and skip the gym this time of the month. But you'd have to eat a lot of junk food to really gain weight so quickly.) Read more about mistakes you're making during your period.

Why does my weight fluctuate a few days before my period?

Your weight is just fluctuating a few days before your period thanks to the spike in hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Some water retention is happening because of these hormonal fluctuations. What's also making your body retain water are the sugar, caffeine and salt that you're soothing yourself with.

How long does it take for weight gain to go away after a period?

Don't get upset or freak out if you put on a few extra pounds during your period. Most likely, that weight gain will go away after a few days, and your body will return to its good old self (assuming you're not drowning your sorrows in boxes of pizza and cartons of ice cream).

What to do if weight issues bother you?

If your weight issues are bothering you, speak with your health care provider.

How do you know if you are eating too much sugar?

Here are some signs you may be eating too much sugar or salt. This fare triggers your body to hold onto water. It is possible that you will be mindful of your diet and still gain weight. Whatever you do, don't stop guzzling water. Cutting it out won't solve water retention issues.

Does progesterone make you feel bloated?

Progesterone can make you a bit constipated, and that may cause you to feel bloated or heavier . This weight gain can even be a mental thing. Maybe you haven't officially packed on any pounds. But you feel like you look bigger when you step in front in the mirror. It's just a feeling you have inside.

Is it normal to put on weight during your period?

Yes, it is possible and totally normal to put on a few extra pounds this time of the month. And this phenomenon isn't just happening to you—we promise! Sure, the scale may read a bit higher, but you're not permanently putting on this weight. Your weight is just fluctuating a few days before your period thanks to the spike in hormones like estrogen ...

Is there anything I can do to alleviate period bloating?

Remember: With period weight gain, you're not gaining actual fat. It's mostly just water weight thanks to your hormones (and the GI irregularity...and less-than-ideal eating and exercise habits). Still, you might not feel like waiting around five to seven days for your period to end before your body feels normal.

How to control bloating during period?

If you're trying to lose weight or control bloating, make sure you’re hydrated, seek out lean protein like Greek yogurt to keep you full, and eat mindfully. But again, you don't need to worry about long-term weight gain solely due to body changes that happen temporarily on your period. 3.

What hormones are involved in breast tenderness?

The other hormone at play here is progesterone, says Natasha Johnson, MD, a gynecologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Progesterone levels spike in the second half of your cycle, leading to water retention, breast tenderness, and sometimes water weight, she says.

How to get rid of a swollen thigh?

Drink tons of water, says Dr. Borchardt—at least eight glasses per day (roughly two liters) to flush your system. Staying hydrated actually helps combat fluid retention, even if that might seem counterintuitive. Get moving. If you can, stick to your exercise routine in spite of your cramps and fatigue. "At least 30 minutes of exercise daily leading ...

How long does it take for a period to end?

Still, you might not feel like waiting around five to seven days for your period to end before your body feels normal.

How much weight gain during period?

Many women typically see around two to six pounds of weight gain around their period, but every body is different. Though if you're experiencing rapid or persistent weight gain, it's best to speak with a doctor who can determine if there are other issues at play besides your period. Dr.

How much weight gain is normal?

Gaining two to six pounds is totally normal.

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