Weight Gain During Period

Has any of your friends ever asked you "do you gain weight during your period". If the answer to the question is "yes", do not worry. With you answering the question in affirmative, your friend must have been relieved. The same way, you should also heave a sigh of relief. A number of women suffer from different complaints both before and during periods. The most common complaints are stomach cramps, weight gain during period, uneasiness, back and lower back pain, leg pain, etc. Weight gain during period is not a very serious issue, as it is not difficult to get rid of the weight gained. Women who are on a weight loss are often very worried about this condition. Often the weight gain during this period is anywhere between 1 to 6 pounds, however, sometimes, it may be as much as 10 pounds as well. This weight gain happens in spite of not making any changes to their daily schedule.

Causes of Weight Gain During Period

Now that we have accepted the fact, that weight gain is a part of PMS, we need to know what is it that causes this condition. Once we know the causes, it will be easier to take the appropriate steps to counter the said problem.

Water Retention
Weight gain during period is often due to water retention. Water retention is also known as fluid retention or edema. It is normally caused due to hormonal changes, which happen during this period. A number of woman may identify with water retention as bloating. It is often observed that before and during period, woman normally have problems with bowel movements. This also leads to water retention. There are other causes of water retention as well, among them drop in progesterone levels in the body is the most prominent.

Bloating
Menstrual bloating is often due to gas accumulation in the intestine. It can be due to changes taking place in the body and due to inactivity before and during the menstrual cycle. Bloating can also cause severe menstrual cramps. Bloating can be as a result of constipation, which is a common condition during the menstrual cycle days.

Overeating and Food Cravings
Weight gain during menstrual cycle can also be due to overeating, which is often caused, because the brain does not get adequate quantity of glucose for its activities. In most cases, the glucose levels in the body go for a toss during period. Women tend to overeat during periods, due rise in the metabolism levels. Usually, women consume about 100 to 200 calories more than what they regularly consume, especially on the days, they are bleeding heavily. Most women notice, that they have food cravings before and during period. These cravings do not last for a long duration and go away on their own. Binge eating is due to food cravings.

Drop in Magnesium Levels
It is commonly seen, that red celled magnesium levels go diving down during the pre-menstrual days. This in turns leads to low production of insulin. When the levels of insulin in the body drop, which creates sugar cravings, as the brain goes into panic situation. This results in over consumption of sugar and in turn weight gain.

Treating Weight Gain During Period

It is not very difficult to treat weight gain during period. A small change to the diet can help in alleviating water retention problem.

• You may want to reduce your sodium intake during this time, to fight this problem. Less sodium reduces chances of water retention.
• If bloating and water retention is pronounced, you may want to try a diuretic. It is not recommended, but if bloating is causing you a lot of discomfort, you may try a diuretic.
• Drinking warm water mixed with lime juice early in the morning helps in reducing the water retention. However, salt should not be added to the water.
• Calcium plays an important role in preventing and curing water retention problem. Make sure your calcium intake is sufficient. Women, who follow vegan diet, should especially take care about their calcium intake as, studies have shown that they often lack calcium.
• It is commonly observed, that women avoid exercises prior to their menstrual cycle. At the same time, they are also very inactive when they are on their cycle, which often times leads to weight gain.
• Although, you might have food cravings, it is important, you make sure you are eating healthy and sumptuous meals. Avoid foods which are high in refined sugar.
• The diet should be rich in complex carbohydrates, lean protein and fiber.
• Healthy small meals at regular intervals and in adequate quantities also help in managing food cravings during this time.
• The meals should be the kinds which will get digested fast.
• Limit, rather avoid the intake of caffeine and alcohol before and during periods.
• Keeping oneself well hydrated is necessary. One can have fruit and vegetable juices or coconut water to keep yourself well hydrated.
• Eating foods rich in iron is important before start of menstrual cycle and during the cycle, as most women feel anemic during the said period and tend to reach for comforting food.

The average weight gain during period is anywhere between 1 to 6 pounds. However, in some woman, there will not be noticeable weight gain during period. The only important thing to remember about this weight gain during period is that you should not get disturbed. Understand that it is normal and will go away once you are done with your menstrual cycle.