Why did I lose my appetite before my period? Causes of increased appetite before menstruation and ways to get rid of it

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Therapeutic fasting is an opportunity to cleanse your body of toxins and other harmful substances. Proper fasting can change your monthly cycle for the better, help regulate it and eliminate abdominal pain. Many women who are just starting to practice this method are wondering: is it acceptable to deprive themselves of food during menstrual bleeding? Will this lead to adverse consequences and how will it affect their women's health and ability to conceive?

Experts do not give a definite answer, since each organism is individual. Based on the state of her health, a woman must independently decide whether to fast during her period, or whether it is better to wait until it ends, or give up this idea altogether.

Physiology or pathology

Today, the problem of increased appetite in women a few days before menstruation has been well studied. There are reliable answers as to why this happens and recommendations on how to avoid it.

The so-called zhor comes immediately after ovulation, but appetites grow gradually. A woman or girl notices an increased desire to eat something 7-10 days before the start of her period. The condition is associated with physiological processes, it is impossible to resist them, and it is dangerous for health. You need to learn how to manage your stomach.

Ways to restore your cycle after fasting

An unstable cycle indicates that something is wrong with the reproductive function of a woman or girl. After an impressive loss of extra pounds, the body is especially weakened. It is necessary to find out the reason for the absence of menstruation and begin treatment, otherwise infertility may occur. For example, those suffering from anorexia stop having periods altogether due to the lack of fat, which is vital for women (in moderation, of course).

Be sure to read: Diet sweets for weight loss

Ladies who are vegetarians or vegans also observe the same violations. Fats are a source of cholesterol, from which female hormones are synthesized. Therefore, it plays an important role for the full functioning of the reproductive system, since the ovaries need to be nourished and prevent their depletion.

To bring the body back to normal, the following methods are used:

1. Change of diet. After the cessation of menstruation due to a hunger strike, you now need to eat foods that contain fats - exactly those that you had to deprive yourself of during the period of refusal to eat. It is also important to consume enough proteins (fish, dairy products) and complex carbohydrates (legumes, nuts, fruits). If a woman has to work a lot physically, then she should take more calories. And do not forget that it is better to eat often and in small portions.
2. Herbal teas and infusions. Traditional medicine will help with the initial stages of disorders. Infusions from wormwood root are taken for about two weeks. A third of a tablespoon of root is poured into a glass of boiling water. Should be taken before meals. Chamomile and mint tea, infusions of valerian, oregano and lemon balm will also help normalize the functioning of the ovaries and nervous system. You can take fresh parsley.
3. Medications. A doctor can prescribe hormonal drugs to restore ovarian function only as a last resort. The cycle will soon adjust. However, without proper nutrition, it will be more difficult for the body to return to normal.

Reasons for increased appetite before menstruation

After ovulation, the hormonal balance changes and significant changes occur.

• The active female hormone estrogen, which is responsible for good mood, well-being, and attractive appearance, is replaced by progesterone. The latter is responsible for the development of the fertilized egg and the maintenance of pregnancy. The body begins to prepare for a new life, regardless of whether conception has occurred or not. Metabolic processes slow down, fats are deposited, fluid accumulates, the body requires an increased supply of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds. As a result, zhor appears.
• During menstruation, a woman loses blood, and with it a certain amount of useful microelements. For example, excessive loss of iron leads to a decrease in hemoglobin and anemia. To ensure that the consequences are not so dire, the body tries to stock up on the necessary components in advance.
• Among all the variety of products, I really really want not kefir with apple, but something sweet. This change in tastes is also not without reason. Blood sugar levels drop and the body requires replenishment. The amount of the joy hormone – endorphin – decreases. Hence, mood swings, depression, apathy, dissatisfaction with oneself and life in general. Even if a woman does not experience any of this, the body demands to compensate for the deficiency. I want bananas, strawberries, chocolate. It is these products that help increase endorphin levels.
• Along with sweets, I also crave salty foods very much. My mouth waters at the thought of foods that don't excite me on other days. Salted nuts, seeds, herring, salmon, even beer with unhealthy chips. The desire is associated with insufficient amounts of potassium, iodine, chlorine, and sodium in the body. Transformations associated with preparing for menstruation take a lot of energy. The amount of important components decreases, the body requires compensation. Cravings for salty foods are associated with decreased immunity. Taste buds become dull, ordinary food seems bland and tasteless.

If you really want something, it means that the body needs something that it has. The exception is the craving for coffee and alcoholic beverages. This is already called unhealthy addiction.

Why did I lose my appetite before menstruation?

For some reason, it is believed that all women increase their appetite during the permenstrual period. But this is not so, some note that he simply disappeared, and there is no desire to eat anything. This can be either a variant of the norm or a sign of some deviation in the normal functioning of the body.

Therefore, if you have lost your appetite before your period, you should consult a gynecologist for the first time.

It is also necessary to pay attention to accompanying symptoms. If appetite has disappeared due to physiological reasons, then very often this is accompanied by an upset stomach and stool disorders. This usually occurs in women who often suffer from other unpleasant manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

If you lose your appetite before your period, this may indicate pregnancy. Then the production of progesterone, which is responsible for the attachment of the egg, decreases. Therefore, the usual increase in appetite does not occur.

When you lose your appetite before your period begins, you should check your pancreas. If everything is in order with its functioning, then try to remember if there have been any recent head blows, overwork or severe stress. These reasons can also provoke a decrease in appetite before menstruation.

And although many women are only happy that their appetite used to increase, but now it has disappeared before menstruation, in fact this is a cause for concern.

The main reason for increased appetite before menstruation is directly related to the functioning of the hormonal system. And since it is impossible to fight such a cause, you can only reduce the consequences of such an increase in the desire to eat something. First of all, normalization of nutrition and selection of the right foods will help cope with the fact that hunger increases before menstruation. If your appetite suddenly disappears before the onset of your period, you should consult a gynecologist to find the cause, as this may be a signal of the onset of a disease.

Almost every 2nd woman out of 10 feels that her appetite is increasing. But why is this happening? Not everyone knows the answer to this question.

Most often, the main reason is that it decreases in the blood during the premenstrual period. This hormone is responsible for good appetite and well-being, so some people have increased appetite, while others feel unwell: drowsiness, tearfulness and weakness.

Let's figure out why a brutal appetite wakes up before menstruation?

Hormones influence the well-being and condition of the female body. When a cycle begins, which goes through four phases, hormone levels rise and fall in each phase.

In the first phase, the woman feels great, she has a good mood and a smile on her face. But with the onset of the second phase, the level of this hormone drops, the woman begins to feel unwell and feels a brutal feeling of hunger.

Such processes can be explained by several reasons:

• When the level of the female hormone progesterone increases, the level of norepinephrine and adrenaline in the blood increases. Together they help secrete gastric juice, so food that enters the digestive tract is processed in a short time. So a woman experiences an increased appetite before menstruation;
• due to the fact that the level of insulin, which is able to regulate blood sugar, falls, women: chocolate, sweets, etc. Here is another reason why;
• Sometimes the brutal appetite can be explained by taking into account the fact that every month the female body prepares for possible conception. In the second phase, the level of progesterone increases, thereby giving a signal to the body that it needs to accumulate nutrients and necessary substances. If fertilization occurs, the result is an increase in appetite.

How to deal with gluttony?

Increased appetite and the desire to pamper yourself with cream cake, sweets, and buns do not go away without leaving a trace. Extra pounds appear, which are then difficult to cope with. Usually, appetite

returns to normal with the onset of menstruation, the previous appearance and weight are restored within a week. However, if the permissible norm in food is significantly exceeded, considerable efforts will be required to return to its previous form.

1. It is wrong to completely refuse what the body asks for. You just need to slightly adjust his desire.
2. Divide meals into 7 times instead of the usual 3-4. Eating small portions will reduce your appetite and satisfy your hunger.
3. Instead of a box of chocolates, eat a couple of pieces. Replenish the rest of the sweet allowance with dried apricots, dates, raisins, and honey.
4. Salted fish and cucumber definitely won’t hurt. But it’s better to put a taboo on chips and crackers. An excellent option are salted seeds. There is little salt in them, and there will be a constant clicking sound on the tongue. Moreover, the seeds bring menstruation closer. Useful when delayed.
5. It is recommended to replenish the required components with fruits and vegetables. Bananas can be eaten in unlimited quantities if you are not allergic to them. They replenish sugar levels in the body and increase the level of the joy hormone.

It happens that on the eve of your period you really want kefir or yogurt. These products can be consumed without restrictions, without fear for your figure. You need to start following the rules after ovulation. From this moment, metabolic processes begin to slow down.

How does this happen

The menstrual cycle has two phases: the first phase, during which the egg matures.
By the way, during this period a woman is especially physically resilient, which can be used to benefit her figure! It is more correct to increase physical activity in the gym in the first phase of the cycle, you will be less tired, and there will be no rush of laziness and apathy. The second phase of the cycle is under the influence of progesterone, the hormone responsible for successful conception and implantation of the embryo. The endometrium in the uterus serves as a breeding ground for implantation; if pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium sloughs off (in the form of menstrual bleeding) and the level of progesterone in the blood drops sharply. And again, hunger “falls asleep” until the next second phase.

Every month, the body prepares for pregnancy and tries to replenish its reserves with nutrients that can come from your diet. That's why we don't leave the refrigerator every month! During PMS, increased appetite is normal, so don't worry. But as soon as menstruation begins, appetite returns to normal, weight is restored, and a couple of kilograms gained disappear with the onset of a new cycle.

Zhor before menstruation or pregnancy

If you want not specific products, but a lot of everything, you need

think about your situation. Perhaps there will be no menstruation. During pregnancy, progesterone levels increase, the body tries to stock up on everything it needs. In general, it is difficult to distinguish the presence of pregnancy based on taste preferences. But if you want something that previously caused disgust, you should pay attention to this fact.

During pregnancy, zhor usually begins after fertilization of the egg. But on the days when menstruation is due to begin, appetite decreases. Because nausea, aversion to food, and intolerance to smells appear.

How to get your period back after dieting

The absence of critical days is a reason to think about your health. Below is a list of reasons why this might happen:

1. High intensity training.
2. Long-term use of mono-diets (when a woman consumes only one product, for example, kefir).
3. Improper metabolism.
4. Sharp weight loss.
5. Starvation.
6. Using exclusively low-calorie foods in the diet.
7. Pregnancy.

The absence of menstruation is not always caused by poor diet. Only doctors can understand the reasons for this phenomenon. However, if as a result of the diet severe exhaustion occurred and many kilograms were lost, then most likely the reason lies precisely in this.

In order to restore the cycle, you need to start eating regularly, and also seek advice from a gynecologist . To determine the cause, the following procedures may be prescribed:

• general blood and urine tests;
• determination of changes in hormonal levels;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

Based on the results obtained, doctors prescribe the use of medications that restore the normal functioning of the ovaries.

How to fight with pills

Experts do not recommend using drugs for weight loss. It is enough to limit the portion of food, increase the frequency of meals, and choose healthy foods. If you can’t get anywhere without pills, you should pay attention to the following drugs.

• Reduxin (Russia);
• Slimia (India);
• Meridia (Germany);
• Goldline (India);
• Lindaksa (Czech Republic).

The active component is subutramine. The substance enhances the feeling of fullness. Used in complex therapy for obesity and overweight. Must be taken in the morning. Daily dose 5-15 mg. You can take it without interruption for 3 months. During this time you can get rid of 10% of weight. Next, you should take a break, since the pills are addictive and disrupt the functioning of the digestive system. To get rid of obesity before menstruation, it is enough to drink the drug for 2 weeks. Repeat the next month if necessary.

You should not rush to take pills if the cause of noticeable weight gain has not been established. Contraindications are:

1. Obesity due to nervous disorders,
2. Bulimia, anorexia;
3. Diseases of the heart, circulatory system;
4. Kidney, liver failure;
5. Thyroid diseases;
6. Alcohol, drug addiction.

Weight gain may be associated with the development of serious diseases. Normally, weight increases before menstruation by 1-2 kg, and disappears after it. Naturally, you need to understand that overeating leads to weight gain, regardless of the day of the monthly cycle.

No matter how hard women try to watch their figure, it doesn’t always work out. Many people are concerned about increased appetite before menstruation, which leads to weight gain. It is because of them that an annoying increase in appetite regularly occurs, and plans to curb it inexorably collapse. The feeling of hunger increases a few days before menstruation, but not for everyone at the same time. A passionate desire to eat usually occurs 15 days after the end of menstruation. This symptom can be considered a sign of PMS and the first warning to a woman that the onset of menstruation is approaching. An increase in appetite before menstruation is associated with individual characteristics. But some factors that provoke or reduce appetite are common to everyone.

Causes of increased appetite

Appetite during menstruation or a few days before its onset increases due to the fact that the woman’s body prepares for fertilization during the ovulation period, and therefore accumulates resources so that if fertilization occurs and pregnancy occurs, it will be able to support the vital functions of the mother , and fruit. The cause of increased appetite is hormonal fluctuations during the cycle. In general, a woman’s body works according to this scheme:

1. At the stage of egg maturation, preceding ovulation, the endocrine system of the female body “launches” the process of active production of the hormone estrogen. It is necessary for the female reproductive cell to form correctly and be ready for fertilization. During this period, practically no external changes are observed: the woman feels cheerful and feels emotional stability.
2. At the ovulation stage, when a mature egg leaves the follicle, the body's production of progesterone increases and the amount of estrogen decreases. At the same time, the adrenal glands begin to produce the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine, which catalyze the process of producing gastric juice. The main task of the female body in this phase of the cycle is to prepare for pregnancy and create the conditions necessary for bearing a child. This is why before menstruation the feeling of hunger becomes more pronounced than usual.

Treatment of PMS syndrome is a rather complicated process. This is due to the fact that it is still known...

Why do you want to eat

Before your period, rising progesterone causes a surge in stress hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, and sometimes cortisol. Because of this, the cardiovascular system switches to a more intense operating mode. Breathing, sweating, muscle tone, and metabolism increase. As a result, before menstruation, appetite increases, because a lot of energy is consumed, which needs to be replenished. In addition, the body prepares reserves that will be useful during pregnancy.

Stress is especially dangerous in conditions when mood is low. The hormone associated with pleasure, serotonin, is thought to be dependent on estrogen. Thus, from the moment of ovulation, when there is less estrogen in the body, the factors that contribute to a good mood decrease. Therefore, sometimes during menstruation, due to clouded feelings, attacks of strong appetite occur and the craving for food increases as a means of obtaining pleasure. This habit of “eating” stress during premenstrual syndrome creates the preconditions for weight gain, as well as metabolic disorders and other serious diseases.

Thus, among the reasons for increased appetite before menstruation, the following factors are especially important:

• due to menstruation, the ratio of hormones changes: there is more progesterone, less estrogen;
• more stress-related hormones are produced;
• The activity of all systems increases during menstruation, and additional energy costs arise;
• mood decreases and the need for artificial production of the hormone serotonin increases;
• the supply of energy and nutrition is accumulated thanks to a mechanism inherent in nature, which helps to accumulate strength for a possible pregnancy. Nowadays, functional nutrition from NL International is in fashion.

Effectiveness of fasting

The male body does not require such careful preparation for refusing food as the female body. If they have gynecological problems, girls turn to alternative medicine, because doctors cannot cope with all diseases, and therapy does not bring the desired result. They resort to fasting as a method of healing. Women's diseases require careful examination and consultation with a doctor before starting cleansing.

For uterine fibroids

Fasting affects gynecology and helps cure various diseases. One of the serious ailments is uterine fibroids.

Myoma refers to a benign tumor formed in the muscle tissue of the uterus. The smooth muscle fibers of the neoplasm are closely intertwined into myomatous nodes, which affect the functionality and reproduction of the uterus. The cause of a tumor can be any factor.

A comprehensive treatment method involves dry fasting against fibroids. During the process of hunger, cells are renewed and cleansed. The body is in a state of stress without food and water, to which only healthy tissues are able to adapt. Atypical cells damaged by pathology do not receive sufficient nutrition and die.

With uterine fibroids, the fasting technique triggers the mechanism of autolysis - self-digestion. First, less useful tissues are destroyed, then other cells. The category of pathological compounds that are removed first includes fibroids, cysts, fatty deposits, mastopathy, and abscesses. Autolysis distributes nutrients in order of cell value. Dry fractional fasting is comparable to an operation without a knife, capable of removing adhesions, tumors, deposits (by disrupting the blood supply to pathological tissues). Tumor formations completely disappear.

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• Advantages and disadvantages of Shchennikov’s technique
• Harm and benefits of fasting according to Malakhov for medicinal purposes
• How Stoleshnikov's fasting method helps with diabetes

Infertility

Temporary abstinence from food helps infertile women become pregnant. Before fasting, many of them complained of irregular cycles, experienced painful cramps, and heavy menstruation. These symptoms spoke of endocrine disorders, inflammatory processes of the uterus and ovaries.

In rare cases, infertility is absolute; more often, the inability to bear children occurs as a result of other diseases. Fasting destroys the causes of infertility. The procedure restores the health of women who cannot bear a child and allows them to give birth to a normal child. The timing of the diet depends on the degree of development of the disease. If infertility is absolute, food abstinence cannot solve the problem.

Thrush

Candidiasis (thrush) is a fungal infection caused by Candida carriers. The microflora of people can contain yeast-like fungi for a long period, which do not cause concern. As soon as the acid balance of the body is disturbed, microorganisms begin to multiply, populating the mucous membranes, skin and internal organs.

Bacteria and fungi reproduce in liquid conditions. Lack of moisture leads to the death of microorganisms. It is good to treat candidiasis by refusing food and water for a period of no more than 21 days. Before you begin, you should consult your doctor. Famine over a long period brings serious changes.

The therapeutic method of cleansing from parasites is divided into several stages (duration ranges from 14 to 22 days).

1. Stage 1 – preparatory. Includes cleansing of toxins and fungal infections. It is necessary to enter into the procedure several days before the fasting stage. To get rid of stress, reduce portions and switch to a plant-based diet.
2. Stage 2 – abstaining from food. You will need to drink 2-3 liters of clean water per day. It is advisable to take vitamins and get more rest.
3. Stage 3 – final. It is necessary to exit therapy correctly. For the first three to five days, drink juice diluted with water and add fruit drinks. From the fifth to the seventh day they include porridges and soups of a liquid consistency, fruit and vegetable dishes.

Endometriosis

Every month, part of the endometrium should separate from the uterus and come out along with menstrual flow. Sometimes pieces of endometrium go in the wrong direction, ending up in the fallopian tubes, vagina and distant organs. A similar situation occurs with endometriosis. A gynecological disorder is associated with the growth of the inner layer of the uterus beyond its limits. Gynecologists say that the number of sick patients is increasing every year.

Endometriosis manifests itself in the mucous membranes of the endometrium, spreading throughout the body. The mucous environment is a pathological fluid. During dry hunger, food and water do not enter the body, creating an unfavorable climate for the presence and development of pathological fluids. As a result, the inner layer of the uterus is completely renewed.

What information is missing from the article?

• Real reviews about the practice
• Experts' opinions
• Photo and video reviews
• More menu options for preparation and exit

Polypoid growths

Bloody discharge is often a symptom of polyp-like growths in the uterus, which can be detected during examination. A polyp is a benign growth protruding from the endometrial mucosa. It resembles the shape of a cone growing on a thin stalk.

They get rid of polypous formations surgically. But practice shows that polyps can grow back. Complex treatment of polypoid growths in the uterus includes a course of healing fasting lasting 3 days. They abstain from food for 36 hours once a week, then increase the period to 2 days, and later to 3 days. Perform the procedure once a month.

To understand whether fasting and polyps in the uterus are compatible, it is taken into account that during the period of dry hunger, polyp-like growths are regarded by the body as atypical cells that must be removed. Then the treatment is supplemented with a low-calorie diet aimed at restoring reproductive functions and immunity. Dietary nutrition is considered as one of the treatment options for endometrial hyperplastic processes (hyperplasia).

Cystic neoplasms, polycystic ovary syndrome, and polyposis are treated with diet. Fasting, as an effective way to cure ovarian cysts, is used in combination with other methods. Under natural conditions, the process is regulated by internal mechanisms that suppress the development of the disease. When dry fasting is applied, the ovarian cyst undergoes autolysis, which leads to tumor resorption.

How to cope

A good appetite and delicious food in themselves do not upset anyone. As a rule, the situation that causes more anxiety is when there is no appetite, or it is completely bad. What then worries women? Of course, this is a “blurring” figure before menstruation. Because of it, many people think about how to reduce their appetite and the amount of food they eat. Although, the fault may not be the composition or volume of food, but the mode of its consumption. How to cope with a growing waistline before menstruation, and how to reduce appetite before menstruation so that your figure parameters are more consistent with the norm?

The body is predisposed to provide nutrition and strength to every cell. But not all substances from the food eaten reach their intended purpose. The reason lies in individual characteristics. The appearance of a feeling of hunger and a simultaneous increase in weight during menstruation indicates that the metabolism does not contribute to the nutrition and saturation of all cells; they remain hungry. And they send signals about this to the brain. And he, in response, directs all desires and thoughts to the search for delicacies. Therefore, during menstruation, you crave more sweets and fatty foods. But you can’t give in to this.

The fight against increased appetite, growing weight and swelling during menstruation should be carried out purposefully.

1. It is necessary to optimize your diet. There should be little food at each meal. Be sure to eat often and in small portions.
2. When consuming food, you need to eat slowly and chew your food as thoroughly as possible.
3. Swelling cannot be removed if you stop drinking water or reduce the amount you consume. On the contrary, you should drink more water, but it should be consumed in the same way as food - often, little by little, drink water literally a sip per minute.
4. To reduce swelling, it is useful to drink Asparkam. It contains potassium and magnesium salts, which help facilitate the removal of fluid from the body. You can start taking it 5-8 days before your period.
5. Activities that provide all types of physical activity will help relieve accumulated stress and burn calories. 8-15 days before your period, reasonable physical activity in the form of, for example, cycling, playing on the beach or in the gym, swimming, skiing and skating will not only bring emotional pleasure, but will also solve the problem of excess energy.
6. In order not to think about sweets, you need to find a source of pleasure that replaces them. Perhaps this will be a new hobby, an interesting book, an immersion in the fascinating world of gardening, or transferring your emotions to a wonderful creature living nearby, for example, a kitten.

How to reduce appetite before menstruation?

But how to deal with such a reason before the onset of menstruation, what to do and how to behave? In order to survive this period with dignity, you need to follow some simple rules and then you will cope perfectly with increased appetite before menstruation:

1. Try to have fun. Considering that the processes that occur in the body before menstruation can change hormonal levels, and this affects the mood, therefore a woman needs to improve her mood and have fun so that the level of the joy hormone - endorphin - increases. This can distract you and reduce your cravings for food.
2. During this period, it is advisable to refrain from fatty foods, smoked and pickled foods, sweet and starchy foods, carbonated and alcoholic drinks and reduce caffeine consumption to a minimum.
3. Herbal teas will help reduce appetite before menstruation, especially dandelion and rosehip.

If you can’t fight the brutal appetite during the premenstrual period, at least try to eat right and diversify your menu with foods that are healthy for the body:

• grains and cereal porridges;
• fresh fruits, vegetables;
• pasta and grain bread;
• potato;
• legume products;
• low-fat fermented milk products such as kefir, cottage cheese, yoghurts and sourdoughs;
• lean meats such as chicken, turkey and rabbit;
• lean fish;
• chicken eggs.

Don't despair if you have an increased appetite before your period. Take steps to improve your mood. You can do your favorite thing that can distract you from food. Try to drink sweet tea, this gives the body a deceptive signal and a feeling of fullness sets in.

If you absolutely cannot do without sweets, you can eat a little jam, honey or even a piece of chocolate. Agree that a small piece is unlikely to ruin your figure by adding an extra 10-20 kg of weight, but it will definitely lift your spirits. In addition, chocolate will help slightly reduce the painful course of menstruation.

Or you can experiment by trying to find yourself in handicrafts, dancing, singing or something else.

Yulia Novikova

Each female body is unique, therefore, during premenstrual syndrome, some representatives of the fair sex experience drowsiness and loss of strength, while others cannot move away from the refrigerator and do not know how to overcome cravings before menstruation. Why does this happen and how to deal with it?

The reason for increased appetite in women during the premenstrual period is a hormonal surge. The levels of adrenaline and progesterone (female sex hormone) increase. This in turn leads to increased production of gastric juice and, as a result, increased appetite.

Women want to eat more and more often, and the craving for fast carbohydrates especially increases: sweets and starchy foods. This problem is especially worrying for those who are watching their figure or trying to lose weight, as well as those who suffer from endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus) - in other cases, this period passes unnoticed for women. With the arrival of a new menstrual cycle, all symptoms disappear on their own.

What foods are best to eat?

Sometimes your appetite increases with your period, and this can be unnerving. In other situations, women are concerned about the lack of appetite during menstruation, which is also not uncommon. There is only one piece of advice on what to do when the strength of your appetite fluctuates so widely - stick to a reasonable selection of foods. This will be a very good way to combat weight and appetite and help normalize them.

1. To reduce ravenous appetite, you need food that reduces the production of stress hormones. The best option is extra dark chocolate. If you add thermally processed (this is important!) fish to your diet, the effect will be doubly stronger.
2. The fight against sweet cravings will be more successful by eating sauerkraut.
3. Green beans can overcome short temper, depression and anxiety. Pumpkin and its seeds will also be useful.
4. Excess weight due to an excess of estrogen is reduced if you eat leafy vegetables and cruciferous plants: cabbage (all types), radishes, as well as celery, parsley.

For snacks that help reduce food cravings, you can resort to:

• fruits, vegetables, dried fruits;
• sprouted wheat and other grains;
• herbal infusions flavored with ginger, lemon and honey;
• nuts

Results

The answer to the question of why appetite increases and how this is related to menstruation lies, in most cases, in the field of studying the hormonal system. To maintain normal weight and general well-being during menstruation, you need to eat right.

Many girls complain of an uncontrollable feeling of hunger during (sometimes before) menstruation. The answer is usually the eternal “You need to train your willpower,” “It’s all hormones,” and a couple of stupid pieces of advice that are as useless as milk. But what if you can’t restrain yourself? If you want to eat so badly that your willpower cowardly gives in to such a passionate obsession?

Let's look at the reasons that prevent you from maintaining your diet during the menstrual cycle, how diet affects appetite and increased hunger.

In the article “These Days and Sports” we discussed the menstrual cycle and its phases, but repetition is the mother of learning, especially since now we are focusing not on how the body reacts to stress depending on the phase, but on those hormonal changes that occur during these phases. So read carefully, here lies the answer!

Loss of appetite before menstruation

In some women, appetite before menstruation does not increase, but, on the contrary, decreases. This may be due to premenstrual syndrome. Among its manifestations:

- Psycho-emotional lability, which can manifest itself as depression. This, in turn, helps reduce appetite. — Nausea and other dyspeptic disorders caused by increased production of prolactin and vasopressin.

A decrease in appetite in women before menstruation is much less common than an increase in appetite. If this happens, sedatives or prokinetics (metoclopramide, domperidone) will help normalize appetite.

So is this increase in appetite normal? And why does this happen at different times for different women? Do we need to deal with this somehow? How normal is it for you to lose your appetite?

Hormones and diet during menstruation for weight loss

Let's take a look at a simplified menstrual cycle to understand why the brutal appetite increases before and during critical days:

Every month, a mature egg is released from the ovaries. This process is called ovulation. There are also a host of hormonal changes that are needed for one main purpose: preparing the uterus for fertilization. The hormone gonadorelin is sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland receives a signal to release two other hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones signal the ovaries to secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Hunger and menstrual periods: “I want to eat a lot until I cry”

Thanks to many studies, we know that appetite decreases during ovulation (when estrogen reaches its maximum) and increases after ovulation, when progesterone reaches its peak. Scientists estimate that an increase in food consumption increases by 90-500 calories per day. Using this and other data , scientists have compiled an approximate infographic that will help women distribute the load and calorie intake into different phases of the menstrual cycle !

Diet according to the phases of the menstrual cycle in combination with physical activity:

First 2 weeks of the cycle (follicular phase):

• The ideal phase for muscle hypertrophy and strength growth.
• Intense strength training 3 to 5 times a week.
• Calorie intake: 5% to 10% above support level.
• Ideal to gain muscle and increase strength.

Last 2 weeks of the cycle (luteal phase):

• Intense strength training 1-2 times a week.
• 1-2 times a week - low-intensity cardio for 20-40 minutes.
• Calorie intake: 5% to 10% deficit or at support level.
• The ideal phase to “burn” some fat.

I would like to remind you once again that a woman’s body is extremely sensitive. When a woman is in a calorie deficit or has daily (or more than 4 times a week) cardio , the body reacts to such manipulations as a threat to survival. The body turns off “non-essential” processes at the moment, one of which is reproduction, making fertilization impossible. So you may miss your period!

Why does appetite increase, what does it depend on? The answer is simple: from estrogens. Yes, estrogens, plural. This is not one hormone, but three: estradiol, estriol and estrone. You've probably heard of estradiol. It is its action that has been best studied and it is the one that most influences the sensations of hunger and satiety.

As we have already found out, estradiol levels rise during the follicular phase, reaching a maximum before ovulation, and then decrease during the luteal phase . During the follicular phase, when estradiol is higher, your appetite decreases. In the luteal phase, when estradiol decreases, appetite increases.

The bottom line: We eat less when our estrogen levels are high . This means that appetite is increased during menstrual periods.

When estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise, women want to eat more and may even experience cravings for certain foods during a certain phase of their cycle. There are parts of the brain that have sensors for estradiol (estrogen receptors). The presence of estradiol can reduce food intake and help you feel fuller more quickly after eating (increases dopamine ). When estradiol decreases, the same parts of your brain will tell you that you are not full yet, and with the same amount of food you want to eat more.

also affects the functioning of the hormones of hunger and satiety . The two most commonly known hormones, ghrelin and leptin , are dependent on estrogen levels. (Read about insulin and fructose in the article “Fructose: is it possible to eat fruits and lose weight? How insulin works. Glycemic index and weight loss” )

Ghrelin makes you feel hungry when your stomach is empty. The higher your ghrelin levels, the hungrier you feel. When enough time has passed after eating, your stomach releases ghrelin, and it tells your brain: “Let's eat!” When you eat, ghrelin levels decrease and the brain stops receiving the “I’m hungry!” message. Estradiol suppresses ghrelin’s “I’m hungry!” message. in two ways: partly through the brain and partly by suppressing how much ghrelin your stomach releases.

More estradiol => less ghrelin => less hunger => less food eaten.

Less estradiol => more ghrelin => severe hunger => ate more food.

Leptin regulates appetite—it makes you feel full after eating. The appearance of estradiol either improves the leptin signal in the brain, or directly sends a signal to the brain as if it were a signal from leptin itself; but a drop in estrogen can reduce overall signal transmission, which provokes a constant feeling of hunger before menstruation.

More estradiol => improved leptin signal of fullness to the brain => fuller faster.

Less estradiol => worsened transmission of the leptin signal about satiety to the brain => we can’t get enough.

So you don't go crazy at the end of each month when you feel like you can't get enough to eat. It's all physiology. You didn't make this up. And it's not because you're "not disciplined enough." Therefore, a diet during menstruation for weight loss is a rather controversial idea.

Fasting periods

The longer the duration of the therapeutic fast, the stronger its effect and influence on the body will be. The following time frames should be considered:

• From one to three days. You can start on any day of your period. This period of abstinence from eating will have minimal impact on the body. An option for those who want to cleanse the body without any health risks. It has been noted that the beginning of fasting during menstruation helps to improve the condition of the female body - in the absence of concomitant diseases. Again, it depends on the specific organism and its functioning.
• Six to nine days. If a woman is low weight and has some gynecological diseases, then such a long period of fasting is not recommended. There is a risk of cycle failure and an increase in the volume of blood released. For healthy women, the period is acceptable, the prognosis is favorable.

• Ten to fifteen days. Affects the functioning of the endocrine system. Weight is reduced, the cycle itself may change, including PMS symptoms. If a girl wants to conceive a child, it is important for her not to overdo it and she needs to stop fasting after ten days. Otherwise, problems with ovulation are possible.
• Over fifteen to twenty days. A woman is already losing a lot of weight, and her cycle may be significantly disrupted. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then after refusing to eat for such a period they may get worse.

Be sure to read: Secrets of weight loss of Russian and foreign stars

The reaction to fasting cannot be predicted - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body. For women with an asthenic body constitution and prone to hypotension, fasting is undesirable, since she will clearly not have enough vitamins and microelements that can support the body.

Decline

The increase in appetite before menstruation is caused not only by hormones, but also by a purely psychological factor: girls often feel extremely insecure and to some extent vulnerable during menstruation and PMS.

In addition, often these days are quite painful and girls simply cannot think about food - they feel so bad. By the way, this is a reason to urgently go to the doctor: detailed information is not normal! Periods suggest mild discomfort, not curling into a croissant position.

An important point: all processes for each woman proceed according to their own scenario . Of course, there are some general points that are common to many, but each of us needs to individually monitor things like body temperature, weight and appetite for a couple of months to get an idea of ​​how exactly their body reacts to critical days.

For example, many people notice the opposite reaction: a partial absence during CD or even a complete loss of desire to eat.

For example, Masha and Elvira are calmly training these days and even setting strength records, but Tanechka cannot straighten up from pain and tries not to move again. Eleanor continues to stick to her diet on any day of the cycle; Anya loses her appetite before her period, but Yadviga eats like a tractor and does not feel full. Everything is individual, so don’t worry and focus on yourself: observe, draw conclusions, try different options - you will find your “formula” for success.

How to cope and reduce?

How can we reduce the feeling of hunger during PMS and KD? In fact, scientists suggest that we not struggle with such difficulties, but simply think about what phase of the menstrual cycle to start a diet. They argue that starting a diet before your period, when hunger and food cravings are strongest, may be a bad idea . It is best to start the diet at the end of menstruation or at the end of the follicular phase, when food cravings and hunger become weaker and this can make dieting easier.

They also suggest that increasing total caloric intake 5 to 8 days before menstruation (when there is increased energy expenditure and hunger) may have an advantage over optimal caloric intake (which can cause sluggishness) and help with long-term diet adherence. A slight increase in calories on “those” days could help avoid the loss of control due to hunger.

By the way, if you have a craving for chocolate, then perhaps you lack magnesium, so chocolate is not irreplaceable.

How to fight?

So, if your appetite increases during CD, how to overcome it:

Don't be afraid to eat a little more : it's better to indulge in small, controlled amounts of chocolate than to feel deprived and end up eating a whole mountain. It's better to eat 100 extra, controlled calories now than to end up eating an extra 1,000 calories later. During or before your period, it can be very difficult to control your appetite; your body literally forces you to eat when estrogen levels drop.

So it’s better to lose a small battle than to lose a whole war! These (even a few hundred) extra calories can help avoid uncontrollable gluttony. Try to increase your food intake (for example, through fruits) in those moments when the feeling of hunger is driving you crazy, so as not to break down.

Take a course of magnesium and fish oil . They may well help combat PMS symptoms, hunger and food cravings during particularly difficult periods.

Is it possible to go on a diet during menstruation? It is possible, but we advise you to weaken it as much as possible. In principle, you don’t have to bother at all and plan a cheat meal or refeed for this time , and eat with peace of mind.

The most important

Hunger during or after critical days is very insidious: you do not overeat, you simply cannot feel full . This is what distinguishes “critical” hunger from compulsive overeating . So in this case, instead of trying to conquer your body (and end up breaking down and completely losing control), it’s easier and smarter to find a compromise with it .

Craving chocolate/ice cream/shrimp so much that tears are dripping from your eyes? Eat it! Of course, you don’t need to stuff kilograms of treats into your mouth; your regular portion is enough. Your task: to avoid gluttony and the subsequent unbearable feeling of guilt, and not to maintain the diet at any cost.

And even if you couldn’t restrain yourself and ate too much, don’t humiliate yourself, don’t scold yourself, but... understand. Your body is in hormonal and emotional turmoil, there is no need to finish it off with your hysterics and feelings of guilt. Try the containment strategies described above, strengthen your awareness and willpower, try different diets and workouts: sooner or later you will find your path, which will be easy and fun to follow!

There is no need for any “sweet path”, your exercise and food, and indeed your whole life should be a joy for you, and not a constant test!