Medical News Today
Ladies – this is for you.
As females, we all feel heavier when Aunt Flow makes her way to town. We feel bloated, swollen, chubby, crampy and just straight not sexy at all. These same feeling also seem to be just all in our heads and no one else around us seems to see the same physical sense we are experiencing. It makes you think that it could quite possibly just all be in our heads and that our pants must be tight for other reasons.
Ladies, it is true.
All of what you are feeling is true. You literally ‘gain weight’ while you are menstruating, your face breaks out and your breasts feel like they are five hundred pounds – yeah real cute indeed. We may even cry and yell at you in the same sentence, but these hormones are real and this is how you ‘gain weight’ while Aunt Flow makes her unwelcoming entrance.
Just know that it’s not just you
“Before you go tearing your hair out over the number on the scale, realize that weight fluctuation is very common and pretty normal. Some women might not really notice any changes in their bodies, while still others might see a five- to ten-pound weight fluctuation during that time of the month.
What causes period weight gain?
A change in body weight is triggered by—what else?—your hormones. Right before that time of the month, your body sends out a surge of progesterone which causes an increase in water retention. Holding onto just a little extra water can definitely make you feel bloated, puffy, and heavier than normal. Drugs like Midol and Pamprin temporarily help with weight fluctuation because they typically contain diuretics that flush excess H2O out of your system.
How to stop it weight gain on your period
It’s pretty tough to totally prevent weight fluctuations when your period strikes, but there are some simple ways you can help ease the effects of PMS and bloating:
- Stay away from foods that cause water retention, like sugar, salt, and processed foods. Unfortunately, these are foods that some women crave during that time (ugh!), but trust, it’s worth avoiding them as much as possible if you’re feeling uncomfortably bloated.
- It’s also worth upping your daily intake of fiber, because sometimes your digestive system gets sluggish during the days before menstruation which also makes you feel heavier than usual.
- Take time to be chill, too. Excessive stress can wreak havoc on your hormones, which can make symptoms of PMS like cramps and bloating even worse. Invest in your own self-care throughout the month, but especially in the days leading up to your flow.” – Sporteluxe
Upping your intake of fiber is as easy as throwing an extra scoop of SPRUCE® Energizing Whole Greens into your smoothie!
