How many days before menstruation does weight increase?

PMS and its symptoms

PMS – premenstrual syndrome

. A syndrome is a collection of symptoms and signs of a disease that occur for one reason. That is, these are the symptoms that a woman feels during the period before the onset of menstruation. About 7 days before it starts. Some have less, some have more. Its symptoms may be the following:

• Headache
• Mood swings
• Drowsiness
• Irritability
• Breast tenderness
• Swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• High blood pressure
• Increased appetite

Many of you would add a dozen more symptoms to this list that are characteristic of them. This list can be continued endlessly. But right now I'm most interested in the last item on this list. I have long noticed that during the premenstrual period I have a wild appetite. I could eat often and a lot, and never felt full. I reassured myself that the body was storing nutrients for the menstrual period. I felt that I had gained 1.5-2 kg. in just a few days. The scales convinced me of this. Has this happened to you too? Then you will be wondering what is actually happening at this moment with the female body.

Premenstrual syndrome - PMS during menstruation and excess weight

Mood swings, constant hunger, especially at night, thirst and increased aggression are signs of a condition called premenstrual syndrome. The vast majority of women face this problem, because according to sociological research, the described symptoms before menstruation do not bother only 10% of women around the planet. For the rest, signs of PMS appear fully or partially, sometimes in different combinations. Changes in behavior are caused by changes in hormone levels during the cycle. Hormonal surges are especially felt by women who are prone to obesity. Before menstruation, the body significantly increases the concentration of progesterone, which promotes food absorption and weight gain. Nature has provided this order so that when a woman becomes pregnant, she eats enough to provide the baby with all the necessary nutrients.

Many women associate PMS with discomfort in the intestines, hard stools and, of course, the appearance of a couple of extra pounds. A good way to counteract an increase in body size would be to develop willpower, ideally by setting some goal that excludes obesity. Women who constantly keep their health and appearance under control during menstruation gain on average up to a kilogram of additional weight, which easily goes away with the end of the discharge. However, there are also cases when a woman’s weight increases to 2 extra kilograms. Even after losing some of them, the remainder will be in fat reserves, and with each passing month the reflection in the mirror will be less attractive. Stretch marks in problem areas are also an unpleasant surprise. To keep your body in shape, you need to control your weight, get rid of stress not through the contents of the refrigerator, but with positive emotions or hobbies, eliminate harmful foods from your diet, creating a complete, balanced menu that will quench your appetite and help enrich the body with vitamins.

The most indicative result of overeating is the mark opposite the arrow on the scale. Start weighing yourself every month on one day of the cycle and record the results for comparison with previous periods. If, following the recommendations given above, you achieve a positive effect, then you can praise yourself. But this is not a reason to finish working on yourself. Women are often forced to overeat due to a depressed psycho-emotional state before the onset of menstruation. Tasty but not healthy dishes are a great way to cope with irritation, dissatisfaction and apathy. A note (perhaps in a humorous form) prohibiting overeating can help you cope with the habit of constantly looking into the refrigerator.

Menstrual cycle and its stages

Metabolism in the body () depends on many factors: gender, age, amount of muscle mass, time of day, season and various human diseases. In women, there are more such factors due to their physiology. It turns out that the level of metabolism in women varies depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle.

This dependence is caused by hormonal changes in a woman’s body at different stages of the cycle. If you didn’t know what the stages of the menstrual cycle are, then just remember the “calendar” scheme for preventing unwanted pregnancy, which many women use. The menstrual cycle is conventionally divided into 3 parts. In the second stage, the risk of becoming pregnant is maximum (ovulation period). And the first and third cycles are the safest. But this only applies to those whose menstrual cycle is stable.

How do the stages of the menstrual cycle differ from each other?

Stage 1

The first stage begins on the first day of menstruation. It is caused by a large increase in the female hormone estrogen.

As you know, it has almost the same effect on the female body as testosterone on the male body. The mood improves, performance increases, the metabolism in the body is at the highest level. This period is most suitable for those who want to go on a diet, work out in the gym and change their lives for the better. Of course, this does not include women with painful periods. Some experience such unbearable pain and related ailments that they resort to inpatient treatment in medical institutions. And, in general, this period is due to an increase in strength and mood.

Stage 2

The second stage is the beginning of the growth of the hormone progesterone.

This hormone is produced in a woman's body when she is preparing for conception, that is, during the period of ovulation. The concentration of the hormone is not yet very high, but it already has its own signs. Progesterone performs a protective function. It reduces the level of testosterone, the male hormone, so that new life can be born in the uterus. At this moment, all processes in the body seem to slow down and all forces are aimed at ensuring that conception occurs. We gradually lose the charge of energy that we experienced at the first stage of the menstrual cycle. Women usually during this period unconsciously strive for solitude and peace, protecting themselves and their unborn child from all bad weather.

Stage 3

Stage of maximum growth of progesterone

. At the same time, estrogen levels decrease. Now our body has decided that conception has occurred and its most important task is to maintain the pregnancy and promote its successful development. If you've ever been pregnant, you'll realize that the sensations you experience during the third stage of your menstrual cycle are very similar to those you experienced during pregnancy. When everyone tried to protect you, not worry you, and endure all your whims and mood swings. The only difference is that you are not pregnant and no one will stand on ceremony with you. During this period, a woman experiences an urgent need for additional energy, that is, calories. At the same time, her motor activity decreases in inverse proportion. Due to a slowdown in metabolism, excess fluid accumulates in the body, which leads to swelling. It is the third stage of the menstrual cycle that is PMS with all the ensuing consequences.

Factors affecting weight

There are the following reasons why weight increases before the onset of menstruation:

• changes in hormonal levels;
• accumulation of excess fluid in the body;
• psychological problems.

Any change during this period is temporary, and after the end of your period everything returns to normal. Blood loss varies from woman to woman, so when the bleeding stops, corrective treatment may be required.

Hormonal background

The most common cause of excess weight is an increase in appetite due to hormonal changes. The following hormones have a particular effect:

• estrogens;

Normally, after the cessation of bleeding, a mature egg is released on the 14th day from the first day of menstruation. From this point on, the level of estrogen drops, and the amount of progesterone begins to increase. The hormone is responsible for creating a supply of nutrients and prepares the body for the onset of a possible pregnancy. This condition is inherent in nature for the normal growth of the embryo in the uterine cavity. A woman notes a set of useful substances in the form of extra pounds.

Under the influence of progesterone, every month a woman has a strong appetite before her period. Food preferences are given to sweets that lift your spirits and soothe you.

At a doctor’s appointment, a woman will say: “I really want sweets and I’m gaining weight before my period.” This complaint is considered the most common against the background of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This condition occurs a few days before menstruation.

At the beginning of the second phase of the cycle, in addition to an increase in progesterone concentration, a decrease in serotonin is also observed. It affects mood, which changes in the premenstrual period. The woman becomes irritable and emotional. She is drawn to chocolate, which affects serotonin levels. Sweets will improve your mood, but this state only lasts for a short time. Then the craving for chocolate comes again. Excessive consumption of sweets inevitably leads to weight gain.

Typically, excess weight does not exceed 1 kilogram and after the end of menstruation, the gained weight disappears without a trace. This condition is due to the following reasons:

• enlargement of the mammary glands;
• tendency to constipation.

Hormones, the concentration of which is normally increased in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, help relax the intestinal muscle fibers. As a result, peristalsis is impaired, which is manifested by constipation and increased gas formation. Rare bowel movements before menstruation also affect weight gain.

Fluid retention in tissues

The accumulation of excess fluid in tissues before menstruation depends on hormonal activity. Estrogens retain sodium in the body and, as a result, water. Most often, swelling is observed in the following areas:

• mammary gland;
• face;
• stomach;

Progesterone deficiency is always combined with high estrogen levels during premenstrual syndrome. Together, these processes have a diuretic effect. Sensitivity to prolactin may increase. As a result, it retains fluid that should normally be excreted by the kidneys.

The amount of vasopressin increases before menstruation. Its task is to have an antidiuretic effect on the kidneys. As a result, the frequency of urination decreases and fluid excretion slows down. Therefore, the weight before menstruation increases, and heaviness in the legs appears. This condition protects the woman from future blood loss and dehydration.

Not only the physiological processes of water retention are associated with changes in hormone concentrations. This is often determined by a woman’s taste preferences. Eating certain foods makes it easier for water to accumulate in tissues. These include:

• salty;
• sweets;
• bakery products;
• preservation and marinades.

The listed products attract water and no longer allow it to come out naturally. Gradually, weight begins to increase, which becomes noticeable not only on the scale, but also in the woman’s feelings.

Swelling gradually decreases during menstruation. In some cases, women note that they lose up to 2-3 kg of weight. Therefore, it is important to go through short-term changes and not start losing weight by exhausting the female body with diets.

The legs in the shin area swell noticeably before menstruation with a decrease in physical activity. A decrease in physical activity is associated with the appearance of apathy, fatigue and drowsiness.

Anemia

With moderate blood loss, up to 30 g of iron is released with menstrual blood. Anemia and hormonal changes increase hunger, and to satisfy it you have to eat sweets and flour products. As a result, women notice that weight increases during menstruation, and after their end they go on a diet again. To prevent anemia, you need to eat iron-containing foods (beef, buckwheat, liver).

Psychological problems

Some women begin to recover not only due to water retention in the tissues or anemia. The anticipation of upcoming pain in the premenstrual period and the periods themselves are often frightening. This spoils the mood, hysteria begins, irritability and insomnia appear. You have to use sweets and flour products as sedatives, which leads to rapid weight gain.

When the craving for sweets is great, you can treat yourself to chocolate in limited quantities. In order not to gain weight without harming your figure, you are allowed to eat several tiles a day. How many days this condition will last is determined by the individual characteristics of each girl. Cravings for sweets will disappear when hormones stabilize after menstruation.

If it is difficult to control your appetite, then you should follow some recommendations:

1. It is necessary to replace sweets with complex carbohydrate dishes. It is best to switch your taste preferences to vegetables and fruits that are rich in fiber as much as possible.
2. Wholemeal pasta and bran are recommended. They will help not only maintain a stable amount of kg, but also get rid of bloating and constipation.
3. The menstrual cycle causes the body to lose a certain amount of blood each month. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of hemoglobin by taking iron supplements. For prevention, they are taken 3-4 days before the expected period.

To alleviate premenstrual syndrome, you need to know the reasons for weight gain before menstruation. This will allow you to select correction methods and prevent the development of obesity.

During menstruation, many women face problems such as weight gain and bloating, constipation and swelling. Why does weight increase during menstruation and what can be done about all this - we’ll talk about this further.

Risk group

PMS is still not a rule or a pattern. And, thank God, not all women are susceptible to this disease. Additionally, you are not born with this and there are some causes for this syndrome. There is a risk group that any woman who is susceptible to certain diseases can fall into:

• Miscarriage or abortion
• Taking oral contraceptives
• Gynecological surgeries
• Inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs
• Genital candidiasis
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Endocrine system diseases
• Sexual infections

In addition, there are also social and psychological factors for the occurrence of PMS. In modern society, a woman has ceased to be only the keeper of the home and family, when at any stage of the menstrual cycle she could follow the urges of her body - to retire when she wants, to sleep longer when she has no strength. Today a woman is everything! She is the director, she is the secretary, she is the breadwinner and the hunter, she is the breadwinner and the housewife, she is both the mother and the wife. She does not have time to live according to the needs of her body. This is why more and more women are experiencing PMS symptoms. So, the causes of PMS can be:

• Accommodation in major cities
• Intellectual work
• Presence of stress
• Chronic lack of sleep
• Insufficient physical activity
• Unbalanced diet

If you have noted at least one reason in your life, then you should pay attention to your body and listen to it. It is possible that PMS is the source of your excess weight.

Theories about the appearance of extra pounds during PMS

Hormones

One of the most common is the hormonal theory, which states that in PMS progesterone is inhibited by estrogen, causing swelling and psychological discomfort. In addition to an increase in estrogen levels, many of those examined experienced an increase in the amount of prolactin, which entails fluid retention.

The second version about a disorder of neuropeptide metabolism looks no less interesting and convincing. When explaining why weight increases during menstruation, attention should be paid to the interaction of neuropeptides. Changes in their levels lead to frequent mood swings, enlarged mammary glands and bloating. Some of those examined had problems with the gastrointestinal tract: constipation could occur, and stomach pain periodically occurred.

We suggest you read Constantly thirsty during pregnancy in the early and late stages: why does strong thirst appear?

Individuality

Separately, it is worth mentioning studies that focus on the fact that PMS is based on the individual characteristics of each specific organism: a lack of certain vitamins or minerals, genetic predisposition, a history of genitourinary tract diseases, excess weight, constant stress.

It is worth noting, whatever the reasons behind premenstrual syndrome, its consequences for all women are very similar: the appearance of extra pounds shortly before the start of the menstrual cycle, decreased libido, an enlarged belly and swelling. Girls often become irritable, their concentration decreases, and most experience an increased appetite.

How to avoid gaining weight with PMS

On average, during menstruation a woman loses about 250 grams of blood and more. Of these, about 50 grams of pure iron. What happens during the premenstrual cycle? We eat on average 500 kcal more food than usual. Since metabolism slows down and the body tends to accumulate reserves, fat deposits are guaranteed. Moreover, the quality of the food you eat leaves much to be desired. And there is no smell of iron at all. We are most drawn to sweets and starchy foods, that is, foods with a high glycemic index that do not give us anything other than increased blood sugar. It, in turn, is safely converted into fats. Voila! You have gained 1-2 kg. Of which, 1 kg. is a liquid, and 1 kg. – fat deposits.

How should you behave in each phase of the menstrual cycle in order not to gain excess weight?

Stage 1

. The best period for fasting days and physical activity. During the first stage, you can achieve the best results, both in sports and in nutrition. Don't waste time, use it every day.

Stage 2.

During this period, the goal is not to gain weight. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of sweets and starchy foods. Physical activity should be the most active. Here it is possible to include strength training in your training and force your muscles to burn calories not only during exercise, but also after it, during the recovery period.

Stage 3

. The most dangerous period for your figure. You feel a constant feeling of hunger. To satisfy your hunger, do not use sweet or flour products. They won't keep you full for long. Eat foods containing large quantities (cottage cheese, cheese, poultry, nuts).

Physical activity should continue, maybe not as intense, but still stable. You may feel tired, both muscular and psychological. Continue training, it will restore your spirits and increase adrenaline in your blood.

Be sure to eat foods high in iron (lean meat, liver, lean fish, seafood, cocoa, walnuts, almonds, dark chocolate, etc.)

Due to the fact that fluid is retained in the body, try to limit its consumption to 1.5 liters per day during this period.

• Do not exceed your usual calorie intake
• Eat small meals 4-5 times a day (about 200-250 grams at a time)
• Increase your protein intake
• Increase your intake of foods containing iron
• Mandatory physical activity
• Spending more time in the fresh air (raises hemoglobin)
• Weigh yourself every month in the first phase of your cycle (on the 7th day) in order to monitor your weight gain.

It doesn't seem that difficult. It becomes difficult when you suddenly discover a sagging belly and loose buttocks, swollen with fat. A woman’s body is a very complex mechanism and requires a special approach. Use all its features to your advantage and a slim figure is just around the corner.

There are days when it seems that everything is against us! Physical activity is hard, the scales are treacherously going off scale, your favorite skirt that you wore just yesterday no longer fits today! What's going on? The secret lies in the peculiarities of the menstrual cycle, which affects a woman’s appetite, metabolism, and physical endurance.

First phase of the cycle

(
menstruation).
Diet and weight loss.

At the beginning of the cycle, any diet is contraindicated. During this period, the production of large amounts of prostaglandins, substances that irritate the lining of the uterus and provoke the onset of menstruation, decreases and begins. At the same time, estrogen levels drop sharply. But this hormone takes part in the production of serotonin, the hormone of good mood. It is not surprising that at the beginning of the cycle, many women fall into depression and try to compensate for the lack of good emotions through sweets, which, as we know, do not contribute to weight loss. There is only one way out - replace harmful carbohydrates with healthy ones: fruits, vegetables, cereals, honey. But it is better to abstain from strong meat broths, tea, coffee and chocolate during this period, since they all enhance the effect of prostaglandins. True, if you really want something sweet, you can allow yourself a couple of shares of chocolate, but nothing more.

Not the best time to weigh yourself. Under the influence of hormones, fluid is very poorly removed from the body, and therefore the woman gains extra pounds. But not due to fat, but due to water, which accumulates in all tissues. Don't worry, after 5-7 days your metabolism will return to normal and the excess water will leave your body.

Physical activity.

In the first days of the cycle (days 1-7 of menstruation), physical activity is difficult. Women with painful periods have no time for sports at all. However, experts do not advise lying on the sofa all the time, since passive rest in a horizontal position reduces the tone of the uterus, thereby increasing pain. If you feel the strength to get out of bed,... After wandering around the park or city streets for at least half an hour, you will improve blood supply to the pelvic organs and relieve uterine spasms.

Getty Images/Fotobank

Mid-cycle ( ovulation).

Diet and weight loss.

During this period, nature planned the onset of pregnancy, and therefore the woman’s body produces a large amount of androgens - male sex hormones. Under their influence, metabolism increases, and therefore all diets bring excellent results. However, doctors do not recommend being too zealous. Remember, a lot of blood is lost during menstruation, and therefore switching to a strict diet will only worsen iron deficiency. To prevent this from happening, eat a balanced diet, not forgetting foods rich in iron (beef, apples, buckwheat, pomegranates, veal, liver).

Weight.

Ideal time to weigh yourself. After the end of menstruation, a woman’s hormonal background changes towards estrogen. All excess fluid is excreted in the urine, and the weight returns to normal.

Physical activity.

The woman becomes more resilient. She is active and resistant to stress. That is why on days 12-14 of the cycle (plus two days before and after) any physical activity, including extreme ones, is easy.

Second phase of the cycle (egg destruction)

Diet and weight loss.

If pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, then in the second phase of the menstrual cycle the death of the unfertilized egg begins. That is, if in the first phase of the cycle the female body was tuned to creation (follicle maturation), then in the second - to destruction. That is why the period from 15 to 20 days of the cycle is considered ideal for “destroying” fat deposits. Feel free to arrange fasting days for yourself or switch to diet food. However, a week before your period starts, you may feel a voracious appetite. This happens due to an increase in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulates the release of the corpus luteum from the ovary. It is under its influence that mood and appetite change. Losing weight during this period will be especially painful, and the effectiveness of the diet promises to be very low. So don't bother yourself needlessly. It is better to refrain from simple carbohydrates (sweets and flour products) in favor of complex ones (whole cereals, wholemeal bread) and proteins (lean meat, fish). This will help you stay slim even without dieting.

Weight.

During this period, the weight is still normal, and therefore you can safely step on the scale. But at the end of the cycle, many women begin to complain of sweating. Weight gain (1-1.5 kg) is often observed. If you are prone to swelling, try to reduce the amount of water and salt you consume. Drink diuretic teas (birch buds, hibiscus, raspberry or linden). You can eat watermelons, strawberries, apples.

Physical activity.

The hormonal levels remain stable, the woman is cheerful and active, physical activity goes well. But towards the end of the cycle, under the influence of hormones, physical activity becomes more and more difficult. You shouldn’t break yourself by forcing yourself to play sports, as this can result in increased blood pressure or headaches.

Irina Chernaya

We thank gynecologist Natalia Lelyukh for her help in preparing the material.

For every woman, weight gain is an undesirable and unpleasant event, and if it also happens every month, then it’s time to think about whether everything is okay with your body.

Experts say that one of the features of female physiology is a change in weight shortly before the critical days. If your body weight has increased by no more than 3 kg and after the end of menstruation the weight returns to normal, then there is no need to panic. If body weight does not decrease after regulation, you need to look for a pathological reason why weight increases before and during menstruation.

Preventing Weight Gain

To prevent weight gain, you need to control your diet:

1. 1. Reduce the consumption of salt (it contributes to fluid retention in the body), salted nuts, canned food, limit the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates (chocolate, sweets, flour products - cookies, baked goods).
2. 2. Increase the amount of complex carbohydrates and protein - grains, lentils, vegetables, chicken and quail eggs, lean meat, fish, nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews).
3. 3. During this period, you can add dried fruits, seafood, and wheat bran to your diet.
4. 4. It is necessary to avoid fatty ingredients - sausage, lard, pork, high-fat cheese, mayonnaise, butter in large quantities (in small quantities they are necessary for the proper functioning of the body).
5. 5. It is necessary to maintain a water regime - no more than 1.5 liters per day. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, especially beer.

If possible, preference should be given to physical activity - gymnastics, yoga, aerobics. It is believed that physical activity reduces appetite. This is due to an increase in the level of adrenaline and norepinephrine in the blood against the background of muscle work, which also helps to increase brain tone and helps cope with depression. This can be achieved by doing at least fifteen minutes of morning exercises.

Menstruation is one of the periods of the female cycle, manifested by the release of blood from the genital tract. And before menstruation, many women notice changes in their bodies. Swelling, mood changes and weight gain are constant companions of premenstrual syndrome. The last symptom is considered the most common, and appears under the influence of internal factors. Knowing why weight increases before menstruation, the gynecologist will give recommendations to ease the course of premenstrual syndrome.

Internal factors for gaining kilograms

Most often, weight gain during menstruation is caused by processes that occur in the body before their onset. It is not for nothing that critical days received such a name, because before their arrival, the female body is actively preparing for a possible conception, as a result of which the hormonal background changes along with the metabolism. Weight gain before menstruation can be caused by a combination of the following factors:

• fluid retention in the body. The period of critical days is characterized by high fluid consumption, especially with heavy discharge. If intense menstruation is repeated from cycle to cycle, the body begins to prepare for dehydration and stores moisture. At this time, a woman may complain of swelling of the face and limbs. Typically, weight loss occurs immediately after menstruation due to the removal of fluid from the body. If the swelling does not go away after menstruation, you should take diuretics, and if the swelling is more persistent, you may need to consult a specialist;
• problems with the digestive system. Shortly before menstruation, the concentration of progesterone in a woman’s body increases greatly. This hormone has a relaxing effect on the uterine muscles, as a result of which the uterus presses on the intestines, causing an accumulation of gases, which can cause the abdomen to visually enlarge. For some women, constipation is a precursor to menstruation, and the accumulated stool causes weight changes. Usually weight fluctuations stop with the onset of critical days;
• insatiable appetite. Even with mild manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, most women experience hormonal disorders before menstruation, as a result of which there is a strong desire to eat as many harmful carbohydrates as possible, which include buns and chocolates. The situation is aggravated by the increasing concentration of progesterone, which can provoke attacks of hunger and real gluttony. If the appearance of extra pounds on critical days is associated with gluttony, then with the end of menstruation they will not go away on their own, but will accumulate from month to month, and will eventually develop into obesity;
• anemia. This disease is familiar to all women who are trying to overcome excess weight with the help of debilitating unbalanced diets. Such gastronomic experiments cause a drop in hemoglobin. When during menstruation the body, along with menstrual blood, loses about 30 mg of iron every day, the situation is further aggravated against the background of reduced immunity. Iron deficiency anemia can cause an acute feeling of hunger, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. In order not to increase body weight, such hunger attacks should be satisfied not with flour and sweets, but with seafood, liver or eggs.

Treatment and preventive measures

In order not to gain weight before your period, you need to change your lifestyle during this period. Dietary restrictions and physical activity will help you cope with extra pounds. If a woman has problems with willpower or well-being, she can, on the recommendation of a doctor, take medications.

General recommendations

To avoid gaining weight before menstruation, a woman needs to watch what she eats. During this period you should refuse:

• from coffee;
• smoked products;
• salty food;
• sodas and energy drinks;
• spicy dishes;
• spices;
• chocolate and other sweets.

This limitation is due to the fact that the listed products contribute to fluid retention in the body, which causes edema. Failure of water-salt balance leads to deterioration of digestive function: flatulence and constipation occur.

To prevent such consequences, during menstruation you should give preference to the following foods:

• low-fat yogurt;
• fresh fruits and vegetables, with the exception of legumes and white cabbage;
• cottage cheese mixed with cinnamon-honey dressing;
• porridges made from whole grain cereals containing a large amount of fiber.

Desserts made with yogurt and cottage cheese will help regulate your appetite before your period and at the same time prevent the appearance of extra pounds. It is recommended to use unsweetened fruits and berries as additional ingredients. If a woman experiences severe premenstrual syndrome, it is recommended to drink sedatives, chamomile, tea, infusions of lemon balm, and valerian.

Despite the fact that many women experience discomfort during menstruation, physical activity should not be completely abandoned during this period. Heavy activities that require muscle tension should be replaced by light workouts or moderate activity. During menstruation, weight can be adjusted by walking in the fresh air, meditation, and yoga.

Drug therapy

Medications can help cope with weight gain during menstruation:

1. Vitamin complexes, which include vitamins C, A, E, B, as well as zinc (Cyclovita, Cyclodinone, Supradin, Time Factor).
2. Contraceptives. Regular use can reduce the likelihood of gaining extra pounds during menstruation. Only a gynecologist should select such drugs.
3. Diuretic medications. They can help cope with the accumulation of fluid in the body. However, they can only be used in the absence of renal pathologies.

Before using any drug, you should consult a doctor.

Other methods

To combat weight gain during menstruation, you can use folk recipes:

1. Take 3 tablespoons of calendula and lemon balm flowers, mix and pour half a liter of boiling water. Cover the container with a lid and leave for 10 hours. It is necessary to take the infusion for 7–14 days in the second phase of the cycle, 0.5 cups twice a day. This remedy normalizes metabolism, which helps reduce the activity of gaining excess weight before menstruation.
2. 100 grams of a mixture prepared from the same volume of cornflower, chamomile, and valerian flowers are poured into 0.5 liters of vodka. The liquid is infused for 12 days, and then taken 3 tablespoons 2-3 times a day for a week. This infusion helps the body cope with stress more easily, makes PMS less pronounced, which is why a woman’s craving for sweets decreases. It also has a moderate diuretic effect, which eliminates the risk of edema or fluid retention in the body.
3. Crushed calamus root, doused with alcohol in a ratio of 1:20, is infused for 20 days. Take 1 tablespoon before meals. It improves metabolism, which results in the formation of less fat tissue. It is worth considering that calamus root can increase appetite, so you can use the tincture only before meals. At the same time, you should eat slowly, chewing your food thoroughly. This will allow you to reach saturation with a small amount.

The use of traditional recipes during and before the onset of menstruation should be carried out only after consulting a doctor in the absence of contraindications to taking the selected infusion. During treatment, it is necessary to observe dietary restrictions and not forget about physical activity. With this approach, a woman will not suffer from the appearance of extra pounds in the second phase of the menstrual cycle.

Looking at myself in the mirror, it seemed that I had somehow gained weight. I measured myself and was horrified - the volume of my hips and waist is 3-4 centimeters larger than usual :(((Although I have had a stable weight all my life and the same parameters. And here it is. Moreover, due to my busy traffic, I eat nothing at all . According to the calendar, my period should be somewhere in 5-6 days. Tell me, can parameters and weight increase due to the approaching period? Or does the fact that I have gained so much weight have nothing to do with this? Who also “swells” before menstruation? By the way, the breasts have also increased in volume. ((

Psychological reasons

Not only physiology is to blame for weight gain before menstruation, because in 90% of women, an unstable psychological state provoked by premenstrual syndrome can also lead to similar phenomena. A week before the critical days, your mood begins to change sharply; bouts of irritability can be replaced by complete apathy. And if a woman is sensitive to the topic of weight, then any fluctuation can provoke additional psychological problems.

Some women are subconsciously afraid of feeling menstrual pain again, which is why they are very worried about the onset of their menstrual periods. Lack of self-control and the desire to “eat up” your fears with tasty, but high-calorie food leads to the fact that kilograms are added before our eyes. An important role in this is played by others who, seeing a woman’s depressed or irritated state, try to appease her with chocolate or other sweets.

Sometimes women deliberately give in when they find out that weight gain before menstruation is a physiological process. But this is the “pitfall”, because if the weight gain is truly physiological, then after regulating the weight will normalize, but after overeating it is quite difficult to lose excess weight.

How much does weight increase during menstruation?

Due to fluid retention, deterioration of peristalsis and changes in food preferences, body weight increases. But you shouldn’t go on a strict diet if you notice an extra kilogram on the scale. These are physiological cyclic changes caused by sudden changes in hormone levels.

You can attribute the gained kilograms to hormonal changes that occur monthly in the body only if the weight returns to its original levels. Don't be alarmed if the weight doesn't go away during your period. It begins to decrease after day 3 of the cycle.

If kilograms remain after the end of menstruation, then to normalize the condition, it is advisable to add physical activity and review the diet. Sometimes after the end of menstruation there remains a small increase. An increase in weight by 300 g is not a problem, but if a girl gains weight like this every month, then she can quietly gain 3.6 kg in a year.

Normal weight gain before menstruation

Before menstruation begins, a woman may gain weight. There are no established standards; each organism is individual. An increase of up to 1 kg may disappear without a trace. This is considered acceptable weight fluctuation and should not be a cause for concern.

Many people note that body weight in phase 2 of the cycle increases by 2-3 kg. Such weight gain before menstruation is considered physiological if after its completion the condition returns to normal and the usual value appears on the scales.

For women who gain more than 3 kg every month, doctors advise to monitor their diet and reconsider their lifestyle. Such sharp fluctuations provoke the appearance of stretch marks on the skin.

How much weight can you gain?

Experts cannot say what the exact norm for weight gain is during menstruation, since weight increases depending on the woman’s genetic predisposition. It is impossible to overcome such a root cause with medications and strict diets. As studies have shown, the predisposition due to which weight is gained during menstruation is laid in the female body at birth.

But not only due to heredity and the characteristics of the female body, body weight increases during menstruation; uncontrolled consumption of food and liquid on the eve of and during the period also contributes to weight gain. In order for the increase to be insignificant, you should be attentive to changes in gastronomic preferences on the eve of critical days and avoid consuming unhealthy foods and dishes.

Why do you gain weight before your period?

Normally, the main sex hormones of the female body - estrogen and progesterone - have certain values. Before the onset of menstruation, their level changes dramatically - the amount of progesterone begins to decrease to critically low numbers, and estrogen begins to increase. This process provokes uncontrolled weight gain before menstruation: hormones force the body to stock up on fluid, which it will lose so much of along with menstrual blood. The body begins to swell from excess water, but menstrual swelling goes away within a couple of days after the start of KD.

However, there is a second problem associated with fluctuations in hormonal levels and causing rapid weight gain during menstruation: such jumps in hormone levels do not have the best effect on appetite. Sometimes he becomes simply brutal - uncontrollable, obsessive, untamed. Metabolism slows down during this period, so all excess calories are instantly processed into fat deposits.

Wines in sweets

During menstruation, cravings for sweets, especially chocolate, may increase significantly, this is due to a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. To prevent sweets and flour from affecting body weight, hemoglobin should be raised during this period with iron-containing preparations or products.

In the second half of the menstrual cycle, an increase in progesterone levels is observed, and with the arrival of menstruation it drops sharply, while the production of prostaglandins, substances that promote endometrial detachment, increases. In addition, the level of estrogen, which ensures the secretion of the hormone of happiness, serotonin, sharply decreases. A woman’s mood may deteriorate, but what can best lift it? Of course, sweet candy or a fresh bun. But replenishing the serotonin deficiency with sweets has a negative impact on the female figure; in this situation, a woman should curb her appetite with a couple of slices of dark chocolate or make an effort and give up junk food in favor of slow carbohydrates (porridge and vegetables).

Nutrition on critical days

Pay attention to your diet

Do not eat fatty foods these days: lard, pork, all kinds of sausages and high-fat cheeses. Forget about fried potatoes, chicken skin and universal mayonnaise sauce. Limit your consumption of pickles, alcohol, beer and especially sweets (confectionery, baked goods, sweet fruits, chocolate).

Diet for a good mood

If you are in a state of significant psychological stress, in other words, experiencing premenstrual syndrome, then we recommend sticking to a carbohydrate diet

, which promotes the production of serotonin - the hormone of pleasure, and at the same time helps you not gain extra pounds.

A few days before menstruation and throughout all the “red” days, your diet should consist of various cereals, grain bread, vegetables and fruits. It is worth including lettuce, cabbage, apples, and broccoli in the menu as often as possible.

And instead of sweets, you can treat yourself to bananas, dried apricots, watermelons, sunflower seeds and nuts. If you cannot do without meat, give preference to poultry fillet. Avoid salty foods, sweets and caffeine-containing drinks.

Before the onset of menstruation, the female body undergoes hormonal changes, which negatively affect mood, metabolic processes and water balance. A decrease in estrogen concentration helps reduce the production of serotonin, the hormone of happiness. It is these factors that provoke irritability and mood swings before the onset of menstruation. To improve their psycho-emotional state, girls and women, as a rule, begin to eat a lot of sweets, which contributes to weight gain.

Proper nutrition

There is no need to start losing weight immediately with the arrival of menstruation; at this time, the protective functions of the female body are reduced, and strict diets can only worsen the general state of health. In order not to gain weight, the main thing is that the diet at this time is balanced. There are several tips for creating a menu for the period of regulation:

• 7 days before the expected menstruation, you need to increase your fiber intake, it will relieve swelling. You should add apples, legumes and vegetables to your diet;
• You don’t need to drink liquid for about an hour after eating; it further stretches the stomach, helping to further increase portions;
• serotonin can be increased by eating the right foods: bananas, tomatoes and corn;
• You need to consume iron-containing foods and fermented milk separately from each other, since they are not absorbed together, which leads to a loss of strength and a desire to “jump off” the diet.

For a diet to be effective, it should not bring negative emotions to a woman. And since during menstruation there may be sudden upward changes in weight or weight loss (the “plateau” effect), you need to take into account the rule not to weigh yourself during menstruation.

How does changing your diet affect your weight?

Shortly before menstruation, excess fluid begins to actively accumulate in the body. The woman is very swollen. There is a feeling of swelling. This condition also causes:

• dysfunction of the intestinal tract;
• constipation

Due to unnecessary fluid, a woman experiences a weight gain of 2-3 kg. Body weight returns to normal immediately after the end of the critical days. Gradually the girl will return to her usual form.

The risk of excess fluid accumulation increases under the influence of certain pathological and physiological factors, which are described in the table.

Shortly before menstruation, rapid changes in hormonal levels occur. Progesterone levels increase at the time of ovulation. After just a few days, it and estrogen decrease significantly.

During this period, girls experience tearfulness and mood swings. A sharp drop in progesterone and estrogen negatively affects the woman’s condition.
This period is commonly called premenstrual syndrome. During menstruation and shortly before her period, the girl experiences severe tearfulness and depression. Food preferences change. Some of your favorite foods make you feel sick. During menstruation, women's appetite increases. There is a desire to constantly eat. Most girls during this period abuse various buns, cakes and pastries. This is typical even for those representatives of the fairer sex who follow a healthy lifestyle and refuse simple carbohydrates in everyday life.

General rules

It doesn’t matter why a woman gained weight before or during menstruation, following the general rules will help reduce it:

• do not eat fatty, fried and salty foods. Eliminate mayonnaise and sauces, replace them with vegetable oil in small quantities. Avoid alcohol, canned goods and baked goods. These foods retain fluid in the body;
• instead of excluded foods, you need to eat vegetables, fish and wholemeal bread;
• you need to limit fluid intake in the evening, since tea, coffee or a bottle of mineral water can cause the development of edema;
• A lack of nutrients can provoke an increase in appetite. If you take calcium and magnesium supplements, you can significantly reduce the symptoms of PMS, eliminate swelling, swelling of the abdomen and mammary glands. Pharmacies sell special vitamin complexes that normalize the functioning of the entire body during this period;
• It should be remembered that in the first half of the menstrual cycle, weight loss occurs faster, and in the second half, the weight loss process may slow down and even stop;
• Do not forget about moderate physical activity; during this period you can do gymnastics, swimming or dancing.

In order for regulation to stop bringing discomfort and negative emotions, you should control your weight and prevent overeating.

It happens that a woman who steps on the scale every morning may notice increased readings in the period before menstruation. At this point, the question arises whether weight increases before menstruation. In most cases, weight gain before menstruation is a completely normal and natural phenomenon. Let's look at the causes of excess weight and ways to combat them.

Weight gain before menstruation: root causes

The answer to this question lies on the surface. The reason for weight gain before menstruation is hormonal changes in the body. Constant fluctuations in hormonal levels are directly related to a woman’s cycle. Let's take a closer look at exactly how periods affect weight.

1. Such changes provoke fluid retention in the body. Often women suffer from constipation due to relaxation of the muscles of the rectum. This is one of the reasons why weight increases before menstruation. Immediately after menstruation, constipation goes away and excess fluid also leaves the body.
2. During menstruation, weight increases due to uncontrolled appetite. The amount of estrogen fluctuates according to the following principle. As you know, immediately after ovulation its level drops sharply. During this period, the mood noticeably worsens and you really want to lift it with sweets. It is not for nothing that a chocolate bar during this period becomes the most obvious solution to all problems.
3. Progesterone. Afterwards, its level rises sharply. Then it returns to normal again after a couple of days. And just before the onset of menstruation, the levels of both hormones are at a minimum. Therefore, the female body needs sources of joy and calm at the same time. It is at this time that weight gain occurs before menstruation as a result of uncontrolled appetite.

What to do if weight increases during menstruation?

It is clear that you cannot control hormonal changes. But this does not mean that weight increases before menstruation and there is no way to prevent this. To start, try replacing cakes or other baked goods with fruits and vegetables. They are lower in calories and will also help remove excess fluid from the body. It is very useful to eat a banana during this period: the amino acid in its composition promotes the formation of the “joy hormone” serotonin in the blood.

If you haven’t quit your diet and prefer healthy foods, but still haven’t been able to understand why your weight increases before your period, another method will suit you. Talk to a specialist about birth control pills. The hormones they contain balance the hormonal balance in the body and help control weight.

During menstruation, many women face problems such as weight gain and bloating, constipation and swelling. Why does weight increase during menstruation and what can be done about all this - we’ll talk about this further.

The “progesterone + water” mechanism

One of the main reasons for weight gain before menstruation is water retention in the body. It is important to know how many days before menstruation the weight begins to increase. This process is activated in the second phase of the cycle due to the production of a large volume of progesterone , which is responsible for preparing the girl for pregnancy. This hormone contributes not only to the retention of fluid in the body, but also to the deposition of fatty elements in the subcutaneous layer, which is why weight increases during menstruation.

Most often, during this period, women gain 1.5–2 kilograms. This change is considered normal, and if a woman does not eat a lot of sweets during this period, the weight gain will go away after menstruation.

Progesterone produced before menstruation also contributes to weight gain indirectly. An increase in the level of this hormone in the body leads to the fact that the immune system begins to gradually weaken. This process explains the frequent exacerbations of chronic diseases in women just before their critical days. Some developed pathologies affect hormonal levels.

Read more about what happens to hormones before menstruation in a separate article on our website.

With a strong hormonal imbalance, metabolic processes in the body slow down, which is why the woman begins to gain weight. In some cases, if hormonal changes are not stabilized, weight increases to a critical level.

If the hormonal background has changed slightly, premenstrual syndrome may occur: the production of estrogen and serotonin decreases, the woman becomes irritable, and she develops a craving for sweet and high-calorie foods. In this case, how much weight will increase during menstruation will depend only on the strength of the craving for poor nutrition. Most often, due to this addiction, 1.5–3 kilograms are added to the initial body weight.

Causes of weight gain before and during the menstrual cycle

Experts, first of all, see the root causes that provoke an increase in the weight category, increasing weight, in changes in hormonal levels, determined by the course of the cycle. Next, let's look in more detail at how exactly menstruation affects weight gain:

• The changes themselves that occur in the body provoke abnormal fluid retention - often women experience problems with going to the toilet, constipation, and swelling. This is one of the root causes that provokes weight gain before and during menstruation.

After the critical days pass, the weight often returns to its previous parameters.

• Often these most critical days provoke a woman’s uncontrollable appetite - this is a normal reaction, a preparatory stage for a possible pregnancy. In most cases, this is a consequence of ovulation and changes in estrogen levels.
• Progesterone - after ovulation occurs, the level of this hormone increases. It is the fluctuations of both of these hormones that provoke uncontrolled appetite before and during menstrual periods.

In addition to hormonal changes in the body, the level of body weight before and on the dates of critical days can be influenced by such factors as:

• diet and metabolic processes occurring in the body;
• a woman’s genetic predisposition to excessive weight gain;
• how flexible the rhythm of her life is.

But for the most part, it is the hormonal background that determines fluctuations in kilograms and their excessive gain during critical days. This is how the body prepares for the future maturation of the follicle and the release of the egg, conception and gestation, and compensates for the loss of fluid and blood, vital macro and microelements.

Causes

The process of weight gain is physiological and is caused by a number of factors that occur in the body. The main theory according to which weight increases during menstruation is genetic.

It has been proven that the function of weight gain is inherent in nature and is necessary to ensure reproductive function. This is how the woman’s body prepares for the upcoming pregnancy and provides a supply of nutrients. If fertilization does not occur, it begins to get rid of what it has accumulated, and the weight goes away on its own.

Reasons why a woman’s weight increases during menstruation:

What to do after menstruation

With the onset of menstruation, the main symptoms of PMS disappear, hormonal levels and emotional stability are restored, bloating disappears, the woman no longer gains weight, and her appetite returns to normal. It is worth remembering that the body loses iron along with the blood, and therefore after menstruation it is necessary to replenish its reserves. The champions for iron content are seafood, red meat, eggs, cauliflower and legumes.

You can distract yourself from obsessive thoughts about food by chatting with friends and your favorite hobbies. Good music and dancing will save you from the blues. For irritability - yoga and some breathing exercises.

Remember, the norm for weight gain before menstruation is on average about 1 kg. Therefore, having discovered an increase, there is no need to panic, hate yourself and stop eating for the entire period of critical days. Learn to calmly accept yourself, not get upset and not get hung up on the topic of “getting better or not getting better.”

Take care of your health, value your body, and then harmony and balance will not leave PMS a chance.

Treatment

To normalize your periods and weight, you need to adjust your lifestyle. You can reduce water retention, bloating during menstruation with home remedies, lifestyle changes, medications.

To avoid gaining weight during your period:

• Drink more water. It sounds counterintuitive, but staying hydrated can reduce water retention. Your body will retain more fluid if you are dehydrated.
• Stock up on healthy foods. If you're prone to overeating, keep nutritious options on hand. Try eating fruit or protein bars when sugar cravings strike.
• Take diuretics, which are tablets that reduce water retention by increasing urine production.
• Take magnesium supplements. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
• Keep moving. You will reduce fluid accumulation when moving. Exercise will make you sweat, getting rid of excess water.