PMS and Bloating

Bloating is one of the most common Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms which majority of women experience before, during and even few days after periods. It is a feeling of fullness or swelling in the stomach region that can be very annoying and may lead to severe discomfort and uneasiness. Bloating during period is often accompanied by some other PMS symptoms like pain, cramps, restlessness, mood swings, breast tenderness, etc. However, it is not a serious health concern and so can be cured by following simple remedies and preventive measures.

Causes

Bloating which is nothing but fluid retention in the body, is primarily due to the hormonal changes a woman's body undergoes during menstruation. A normal menstrual cycle usually lasts for 28 days and involves three stages called the follicular, ovulatory and luteal stages. During all these stages, i.e. right from menstrual bleeding, egg discharge to its disintegration, the body undergoes excessive fluctuations in the estrogen and progesterone levels as well as changes in the levels of luteneizing hormones (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), which stimulate the ovaries to release an egg. Also, every month the uterus secretes a chemical called prostaglandin which causes contraction of the uterus walls in order to remove its lining. Hence all these factors result in fluid retention or bloating in the body, along with cramping, back pain, weight gain, irritability and swelling in some parts of the body like the ankles, legs, abdomen, etc. Apart from this, women who smoke or drink regularly or have unhealthy eating habits are also prone to developing bloating during PMS.

Remedies

Given below are some remedies for bloating that will not only provide relief from the uneasiness associated with bloating during PMS but will also prevent it from occurring next time.

• Less Salt Intake: Cut down on your salt and sodium intakes as they lead to fluid retention in the body. Hence avoid eating fast or junk foods as they are high in salt and sodium, and incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Diuretic Herbs: Have some digestive bitters and carminative herbs such as peppermint, ginger, chamomile, fennel, and lemon balm. These herbs are good for the digestive system and also possess a mild diuretic effect which will provide PMS bloating relief by increasing the amount of salt and water passed through the urine, thus reducing water retention.
• Vitamin Supplements: Increasing calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E intakes by having vitamin supplements and eating foods loaded with them can also help in alleviating the PMS symptoms.
• No to Caffeine, Alcohol and Sugar: Avoid having too much of caffeine, alcohol or foods that are high in sugar around the middle of the month as they lead to food retention and bloating.
• Exercise: Exercise regularly as through sweating the excess of salt and water in the body will get ejected which reduces fluid retention.

Along with these remedies, ensure that you drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated and also follow a healthy and balanced diet comprising fruits and vegetables high in nutrients. However, if these preventive measures don't prove useful and if bloating is persistent, chronic and painful, do consult your doctor to elucidate the case.