Why do you get bloated on your period?
There just isn’t much that is pleasant about being on your period. And really—even the days leading up to it can be just as annoying. For many women, it’s not just bleeding, cramping, and mood swings: it also means bloating. You might be one of the 70 percent of women who deal with bloating during their cycle.
But why is this happening? Is there anything you can do? Thankfully—yes! We’ll give you our favorite tips and tricks, but it’s also good to understand what is happening to your body so you can give yourself the best chance of feeling like your best self during your period.
What Are Common Period Symptoms?
There are 10 super common signs that your period is about to start. Just because we need something to look forward to.
- Cramps—ugh, make sure you have your favorite pillow to hug.
- Breaking out—no matter your age, your period can make you feel like a teenager again!
- Tender breasts—for some women, you might hardly notice this. Others find even putting a bra on can be painful.
- Mood swings
- Exhaustion—need a nap three times a day? We totally understand. Your body is working super hard, and you might need to take it easy.
- Upset stomach—gassiness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation.
- Headaches
- Lower back pain—the contractions in your uterus and your abs can often cause your back to contract, too.
- Trouble sleeping
And…
- Bloating.
Why Do You Get Bloated On Your Period?
In the week or days leading up to your period, your hormones are going up and down and all around. Estrogen and progesterone play a big role in period bloating. Changes in estrogen and progesterone can cause the body to retain water and salt. Progesterone helps the body get rid of excess salt and fluid. While there are other reasons you might feel bloated, hormones are much of the cause.
When Does Bloating Usually Start, And When Will It End?
So, is it normal to be bloated before your period? Absolutely. This is the most common time for women to feel like their stomach is big and poochy. In fact, it’s likely the first day of your period will be the worst. So at least there’s a positive side to this—you know what’s coming.
How long does period bloating last, you may ask? Most women feel bloated off and on during their period. Some women experience it more in the morning, some more at night, and for others it’s an all-day thing. Luckily, period bloating should go away a few days into your period.
Remedies For Period Bloating
Guess what, my friend—there are a lot of things you can do to ease or even eliminate a lot of period bloating and gas. Here are some of the tried and true methods:
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Diet. No, we’re not talking about eating to lose weight. We mean changing up your diet a little to assist your body. Choose foods packed with protein and potassium that will help your body regulate fluids. Think things like avocado, nuts, bananas, tofu, watermelon, and ginger.
Just as there are foods to choose, there are also foods to avoid. Stay away from any foods that cause gas. While broccoli and Brussels sprouts are nutritious, you might want to avoid them for a week. Also beans, cabbage, and lettuce. In other words—lay off the greens for a week and choose other fruits and veg to stay healthy. - Exercise. Even though you feel awful, getting a workout in is probably one of the best ways to feel better while on your period. Even if it just means a good walk or a bit of yoga, getting your heart rate up for a while is one of the best ways to help your body feel better. Take it easy, though—intense workouts can actually increase inflammation and make you feel worse.
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Drink. You might be tired and grumpy, so alcohol or caffeine might sound pretty good, but steer away if you can. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine can help alleviate PMS symptoms such as bloating. Choose water or lemonade when you’re out with your friends, and pick OJ in the morning instead of coffee. Both caffeine and alcohol encourage your body to retain water—the opposite of what you want right now.
- Meds. Taking something that is anti-inflammatory can also help with bloating. Try just a little Ibuprofen or Midol, and it can help your body relax and ease the bloating.
- Sleep. Bloating is one of the many PMS symptoms that can affect our day-to-day life. PMS can impact sleep quality Earlier, when we explained how progesterone can cause bloating, well, it’s back to impacting sleep, too. Progesterone is linked to body temperature and fatigue. As you’re probably aware, sleep is important - period.
Try to Relax
What do all those remedies have in common? Self-care. Seriously—when you are on your period, make yourself a priority. OK, you should always do that, but especially now. If you give your body enough rest, good food and drink, and exercise, you’re giving yourself the best chance of having a tolerable period.
Reducing bloating doesn’t have to be complicated. Do what you need to relax and care for your physical needs, and your body will do the rest.
Related Posts
Sources:
Bodyform. Why Do I Bloat and Gain Weight During My Cycle?
https://www.bodyform.co.uk/break-taboos/discover/living-with-periods/bloating-and-weight-gain-new/
WebMD. Signs Your Period is Coming
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/signs-your-period-is-coming
Medical News Today. Seven Tips For Relieving Period Bloating
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319579
Gas-X. Why Does Period Bloating Happen?
https://www.gas-x.com/living-with-gas-and-bloating/period-bloating/#:~:text=Elevated%20estrogen%20levels%20just%20before,retain%20more%20water%20than%20usual.&text=A%20drop%20in%20the%20hormone,leading%20up%20to%20a%20period
Whitney Sleep Center. How Does PMS Affect Sleep?
https://whitneysleepcenter.com/blog/how-does-pms-affect-sleep/
Prevention. 8 Ways To De-Bloat When You Have Your Period,
https://www.prevention.com/health/g20511106/8-ways-to-de-bloat-when-you-have-your-period/
Sleep Doctor. How To Sleep Better On Your Period,
https://sleepdoctor.com/women/how-to-sleep-better-during-period/#:~:text=Premenstrual%20symptoms%20and%20painful%20cramps,and%20increase%20sensitivity%20to%20pain
Healthline. 5 Tips For Managing Period Bloating,
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/period-bloating#:~:text=Bloating%20is%20a%20common%20early,menstruating%20for%20a%20few%20days
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https://www.omargailani.com.au/blog/how-to-reduce-bloating-during-periods-13625/#:~:text=The%20body%27s%20cells%20become%20swollen,first%20day%20of%20their%20period
