Let's figure out whether people lose weight during menstruation 1

How periods affect weight

The hormonal changes that occur in the body with the onset of menstruation are reflected in a woman’s weight. During phase 2 of the cycle, the concentration of progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, increases in the body. Under its action, the enzyme lipoprotein lipase is activated, the body begins to extract more nutrients from the incoming food and store fat.

For some, weight continues to increase during menstruation. This is due to an incorrectly formed diet during the onset of premenstrual syndrome.

Edema also contributes to weight gain. The accumulated excess fluid provokes a feeling of heaviness in the stomach and nausea. The accumulation of water in the brain tissue causes irritability, nervousness, and depression. Changes in hormonal levels also lead to mood swings.

A few days after the start of menstruation, the hormonal levels stabilize, the swelling goes away and the woman manages to take control of her appetite and reconsider her eating habits.

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How to Avoid Weight Gain Through Diet

Before menstruation, the female body prepares for natural fertilization. There is a physiological enlargement of the uterus. The organ is ready for possible conception and implantation of the fertilized egg.

During menstruation, the uterus increases in size

The inner layer grows and thickens shortly before menstrual flow. This explains the increase in the size of the uterus. There is no need to worry about this, since the organ will return to normal before the end of the critical days. This is due to the release of the endometrium.

Endometrial shedding begins, which is characteristic of monthly menstruation. It is the particles of the uterine layer along with blood that the girl can observe on the pad.

This also provokes an increase in body weight by 0.5-1 kg. In nulliparous women, the length of the uterus is 45 mm, width - 46 mm, thickness - 34. After childbirth, the dimensions increase.

Due to the enlargement of the uterus, the girl’s abdominal cavity also swells significantly. Excessive flatulence is observed. In addition, nausea and bowel dysfunction may be present. The uterus puts pressure on all neighboring organs.

Many people report flatulence.
If your weight increases during menstruation, you should reconsider your diet. This is the only way to prevent weight gain. You need to remove from your diet:

• fat;
• pickled;
• fried;
• very salty;
• confectionery;
• baking;
• sauces;
• conservation;
• spicy;
• soda;
• store-bought juices;
• vegetable oils;
• alcoholic drinks.

It is better to avoid mayonnaise and ketchup.
Meals should be balanced and portioned. Portions should be small but frequent. It is better to give preference to fresh vegetables. These are complex carbohydrates that will help remove excess fluid from the body.

We must not forget about the drinking regime. You need to drink up to 2 liters of water per day. This will help cleanse the body of toxic substances and facilitate the removal of unnecessary fluid that has accumulated in cells due to metabolic disorders.

Do you gain weight during your period?

Many patients complain to gynecologists that on days 1-2 of the cycle their weight increases. During this period, it is undesirable to weigh yourself due to fluctuations in the concentration of progesterone and estrogen, and the production of serotonin, the hormone responsible for a good mood, deteriorates. Seeing that the weight is increasing, many people become upset and begin to eat stress with sweets.

Weight gain during menstruation is due to female physiology. If you watch your diet, reduce the amount of coffee and strong tea you drink, and give up alcohol, the increase that appears will disappear on days 5-7 of the cycle.

Important! Weight increases if constipation occurs during menstruation and bloating is observed.

With the onset of menstruation, the hormonal levels change, and the extra pounds gradually disappear.

Why does weight increase before menstruation?

People who understand female physiology recommend not to worry about every kilogram you gain on the eve of your period. There are several reasons why girls get better:

• fluid retention,
• increased appetite,
• change in diet (increasing the amount of simple carbohydrates and foods that retain fluid).

Progesterone is a pregnancy hormone; under its influence, the body starts accumulating reserves. Nutrients are absorbed more actively, while appetite increases. This is how the female body prepares for the possible onset of pregnancy.

Attention! If you don’t break your diet during phase 2, watch your diet, and don’t give in to temptations, then there won’t be a sharp weight gain before your period. But fluctuations within 1 kg cannot be avoided.

In phase 2, the uterine mucosa tries to accumulate moisture. But the liquid cannot be retained only in the mucous membranes; it spreads throughout the existing fatty tissue. Also, under the influence of progesterone, urine begins to be retained. The following organs swell the most:

• uterine mucosa,
• buttocks,
• thighs, calves,
• stomach,
• face (nasolabial area).

The accumulation of fluid is necessary so that during menstruation the body does not begin to suffer from dehydration. 1-2 days before menstruation, provided that fertilization has not occurred, progesterone levels drop, and estrogen levels begin to increase. But swelling does not disappear during this period. Estrogens promote sodium retention in cells, which causes water to accumulate in them.

After the release of the egg, prolactin production begins. Its excess leads to water retention. Women who have elevated prolactin levels find it difficult to lose weight; all the gained kilograms remain.

What happens to a woman's body during the menstrual cycle

The first phase of the female cycle includes the period of bleeding or menstruation, when the egg leaves the body due to lack of fertilization. But weight is gained not these days, but a little earlier, which is due to internal changes in the reproductive system:

• Considering the fact that during menstruation a woman loses up to 100 ml of blood, which is a liquid substance and can lead to dehydration. The body begins to store water that came from outside, which leads to swelling and an increase in volume in the chest and abdomen. Just yesterday, clothes that fit perfectly on the body seem small, as if they were taken in or replaced.
• Unpleasant sensations in the abdominal area occur due to the fact that the uterus is preparing for pregnancy and increases in volume. The stomach is so inflated that it is impossible to retract it and there is a feeling that a large amount of excess weight has been gained. This is the influence of the hormone progesterone, which during the second half of the cycle prepares the body for fertilization.
• Lack of pregnancy leads to hormonal imbalance. The amount of progesterone and estrogen decreases, which leads to the manifestation of PMS (premenstrual symptoms) - depression, tearfulness, irritability, aggression. This is due to a decrease in the level of serotonin, in the formation of which the hormone estrogen takes part. The lower its level, the more active the manifestations of a bad mood, which a woman tries to eat with buns and sweets. An unbalanced diet leads to weight gain, which cannot be properly burned due to lack of physical activity.
• During menstruation, not only fluid is lost, but also useful substances, such as iron, which affects hemoglobin levels. Iron deficiency is up to 30 milligrams, which significantly affects a woman’s physical activity. Weakness and loss of strength do not provide the opportunity for an active life, which leads to physical inactivity at this time and the inability to burn calories in the same volume.

The listed reasons are the reason for weight gain a few days before menstruation and during menstruation. There is no need to be afraid or panic, because this is provided by nature to preserve women’s health or create conditions for the development of the embryo during pregnancy.

Weight normalization occurs after the end of menstruation. Some women note that extra pounds disappear even on the 3rd–4th day of bleeding, when the bulk of the fluid has come out and the hormonal levels have begun to return to normal.

Be sure to read: The most effective diets for weight loss - how to choose?

How long does it take to lose weight after menstruation?

Weighing yourself on the day your period starts is not recommended. During this period, the swelling has not yet gone away, so the numbers on the scales may be upsetting. Even a slight increase in weight during menstruation is acceptable, because hormonal changes continue during this period.

The indicators begin to return to normal on days 3-5 of the cycle. By 5-7 days, metabolism is normalized, accumulated water is completely removed from the body. This helps the weight stabilize.

Important! If your condition has not returned to normal on the 5th-7th day of your period, you will not be able to lose weight without changing your diet and doing additional physical activity.

How to keep weight in place?

If body weight does not increase at the same time in the cycle, it means that the woman is able to cope with hormonal changes that affect weight. Compliance with drinking regime, nutritional rules and physical activity is of great importance.

Volume of fluid consumed

The amount of water you drink is an individual indicator. Despite the accumulation of fluid in the body before menstruation, its consumption cannot be limited. Insufficient water intake leads to even greater water retention, so you need to drink no less than usual. The normal volume is 1.5 to 3 liters per day, or at least 30 ml of water per 1 kilogram of weight.

Sugary carbonated drinks and juices should be avoided. Coffee should be abandoned in favor of herbal tea. Caffeine helps stimulate appetite, has an stimulating effect on the body and increases sugar levels, which does not help to overcome the increased desire to eat something tasty.

It is not recommended to drink a lot of liquid 2-3 hours before bed, as this not only leads to night awakenings due to frequent urination, but also increases swelling. This occurs due to the inability of the vessels to retain excess fluid, as a result of which it penetrates into the extracellular space and accumulates in the tissues.

Nutrition correction

To maintain normal body weight, despite your increased appetite under the influence of hormonal changes, you should not overeat or abuse fatty and sweet foods. A glass of water before eating will fill your stomach, ensure you are quickly satisfied with less food and help prevent overeating.

Meals should be frequent and you should eat in small portions. Low-fat dairy products are highly satiating and low in calories. Excessive consumption of baked goods leads to weight gain, so it is better to avoid them or limit yourself to small quantities. The diet should contain cereals, vegetables and lean meat, preferably veal and poultry.

To reduce fluid retention, it is recommended to give up salty, smoked and fatty foods 1–1.5 weeks before the start of your period. Sausages, sausages, chips, fast food, and mayonnaise contain a large amount of salt and harmful additives. Sweet tea and coffee promote increased insulin production, leading to the accumulation of water in tissues. Drinking alcoholic beverages has a similar effect.

Foods such as buckwheat, apples, cucumbers, peppers and parsley will help safely rid the body of excess fluid. Eating berries – strawberries, cherries, raspberries – helps reduce swelling. You should limit the amount of foods that contain a lot of creatine, a protein that retains water in the body: herring, pork, salmon and beef.

Moderate physical activity

Physical activity not only helps burn a lot of energy, but also improves your mood because it promotes the production of endorphins, natural antidepressants. Moderate exercise leads to a decrease in hunger due to changes in the amount of peptide hormones.

Studies have shown that running has a particularly active effect on the hunger center in the hypothalamus. A treadmill in the gym is a good option, but jogging in the fresh air will be more beneficial, as it also helps saturate the body with oxygen and improve your mood. If a woman sets herself the goal of losing weight, it is better to increase physical activity in the last days of the cycle - during this period, training burns a third more calories than usual.

How to avoid gaining weight before your period

For girls who remain overweight after each critical day, it is advisable to reconsider their lifestyle. Particular attention should be paid to phase 2 of the cycle. If you curb your appetite and do not forget about the need for moderate physical activity, then there will be no gains. Women who adhere to the following recommendations do not gain weight. Nutritionists and gynecologists advise:

• minimize consumption of fast carbohydrates,
• refuse food, the consumption of which leads to water retention in the body: smoked meats, pickles, sausages, other harmful foods,
• increase physical activity,
• control weight.

Nutritionists advise excluding baked goods, confectionery, and chocolate from the menu. You can provide your body with carbohydrates through cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grain bread.

Women whose weight increases before their critical days try to get rid of it with the help of grueling workouts. As a result, the body experiences stress and the need for serotonin increases. The easiest way to stimulate the production of the happiness hormone is to eat sweets. With a lack of willpower, you can get a vicious circle.

Moderate physical activity, which brings emotional satisfaction, reduces appetite. During the period of activity, adrenaline and norepinephrine are produced. These hormones increase brain tone, relieve depression, and activate the process of fat breakdown. Moderate exercise will help you gain weight before your period. A slight increase in weight can be caused by edema, and not by an increase in the volume of adipose tissue.

When to sound the alarm

The question of why weight increases during menstruation or stays the same during active training and dieting has been considered. But there are situations when the pointer on the scale exceeds the usual limits not by 2–3 kilograms, but much more, and the number does not decrease even after the bleeding has stopped. With each menstrual cycle, the situation worsens and the woman notices the problem of obesity, which she cannot cope with on her own.

This indicates a serious hormonal problem that occurs for a number of reasons due to external or internal factors. Stress, women's diseases, menopause characteristics and much more can lead to a slowdown in metabolism and all chemical processes in the female body.

Only a doctor specializing in female obesity will help you cope with the problem. An endocrinologist, gynecologist and nutritionist are doctors who should definitely be visited by a girl or woman whose weight increases not only during menstruation, but also during other phases of the menstrual cycle and does not return to normal, as nature intended for a woman to perform her reproductive function. .

Before prescribing therapy, any specialist in a woman’s excess weight issues a referral for a group of tests, which necessarily include studies on the level of sex hormones and the condition of the thyroid gland.

Having all the examination results in hand, the doctor selects the correct therapy, which usually consists of medications, a specially selected diet and a set of exercises.

Weight fluctuations are often observed during menopause or after the birth of a child if there is a genetic predisposition to the deposition of fat reserves. Usually, in the female line of such a family, the mother, grandmother, and aunt are overweight, which increases not only before menstruation, but also on other days.

Some women are luckier and have no problems gaining 1–2 kilograms under any circumstances, or they simply don’t pay attention to it.