It's normal to gain three to five pounds before your period, and this weight gain usually goes away a few days after your period starts. Understand your symptoms and get to know what's linked to PMS and your cycle in the PMS chatbot.
Water retention is one of the most common symptoms of PMS and affects 92% of individuals who menstruate. In fact, water retention can cause weight fluctuations by as much as 2-4 pounds. This is because progesterone and estrogen are involved in fluid regulation.
Yep, you often do. In the week or so ahead of your period, it's totally normal to weigh a bit more than usual and for your clothes to seem a little tighter. In fact, one study found that 65% of participants experienced swelling during their period — usually across the face, abdomen, pubic area, limbs and breasts [1].
It is true that water retention leads to weight gain during periods but that is very minimal and not the same for all. Some women gain more than others. You can expect to gain 500 grams to 1.5 kilos of weight when you are bleeding.
If you weigh yourself during your menstrual period, there are chances that the result may be higher than your actual weight. It is often normal to gain around 3-5 lbs just before period. You will lose this weight in a week following the menses.
On the plus side, when you're actively bleeding, your body is sloughing off the uterine lining and preparing for a fresh cycle. As the days go on, hunger and cravings dissipate, you lose the bloat (and any excess pounds). In fact, you're at the lowest weight of the month right after you stop bleeding.
Being underweight can cause you to not have a period. This commonly occurs in competitive athletes and women with eating disorders. Women need at least 22% body fat to menstruate regularly. 11 Having a BMI of 18.5 or under can impact your period.
Period weight gain does not mean that you have gained the lost fat again. It is just water retention that happens due to change in the level of hormones and excessive intake of salty and unhealthy food items. Water weight gain is temporary and you lose it within a week after your monthly menstrual cycle ends.
Some research suggests that you might burn slightly more calories during the luteal phase. This phase begins after ovulation and ends with the onset of menstruation. So does being on your period burn more calories or not? Typically, no.
The menstrual cycle itself doesn't seem to affect weight gain or loss. But having a period may affect your weight in other ways. Many women get premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS can cause you to crave and eat more sweet or salty foods than normal.
How long does period weight gain last? Don't worry—assuming the weight gain is just temporary water retention, your weight should return to normal soon. “Water weight usually goes away about three to five days after your period starts,” says Dr. Landry.
For one, you don't burn more calories on your period, contrary to some locker room chatter. If anything, Sims says you burn slightly more calories when your hormones are higher (known as the post-ovulation luteal phase) because your heart rate, respiratory rate, and core temperature increase.
Avoid salty foods: Sodium can cause water retention, which can contribute to period weight gain. Try to limit your intake of salty foods during your period. Eat small, frequent meals: Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can help keep your blood sugar levels stable and prevent overeating or cravings.
How long does period weight gain last? Most women notice the weight gain a few days before their period starts, but fear not; period weight gain caused by water retention usually improves or resolves about three to five days after your period starts, Dr. Langan says.
While many people don't notice any bloating or weight gain at all, others might gain as much as 5 pounds. Usually, this gain happens during the premenstrual, or luteal phase, and the person loses the weight again once the next period begins.
When you are done with your menses, bloating tends to reduce, mainly because of reduced hormonal fluctuation. Similarly, you also get to shed a few pounds because you have reduced cravings for fatty foods, resulting in added bloating.
The luteal phase: high hormones
The body burns more fat during the luteal phase, as the peak in oestrogen and progesterone suppress gluconeogenesis (the making of sugar from protein and fat).
Bloating may occasionally add a pound or two, but it doesn't actually signify weight gain. A simple way to tell the difference between bloating and weight gain or fat is how your stomach looks and feels. If your stomach is tight and hard, then bloating is the cause. If your stomach is soft and thick, then that's fat.
It turns out our bodies require 100 – 300 more calories during our luteal phase (the week before our period is due). This is because our Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR – the number of daily calories needed to stay alive) during this time increases by 10-20%.
There is good evidence that progestogens, such as progesterone, can stimulate appetite. Levels of this sex hormone reach their peak about one week before menstruation begins, which can help explain pre-period munchies. In a similar vein, while BMR decreases during menstruation, it rises to its maximum just prior to it.
Our recent survey told us that low energy and tiredness were really common period symptoms, and you may not be surprised that there's a variety of reasons as to why you might feel like you need more sleep during this time. These include: Hormones. Dehydration.
Avoid Weighing Yourself a Week Before or During Your Period
“I get bloated, feel heavier, and results can be frustrating.” Weight can fluctuate a week before your period and tends to normalize two or three days after your period begins.
It's normal to gain three to five pounds before your period, and this weight gain usually goes away a few days after your period starts. Understand your symptoms and get to know what's linked to PMS and your cycle in the PMS chatbot.
You will usually gain weight in the couple of days before your period begins and then this will start to drop off over the first few days of bleeding. Here we explore the reasons for weight gain and what you can do to minimise those uncomfortable feelings.
The Right Way to Weigh In
Use your scale every morning after you empty your bladder (and before you eat or drink anything), wearing as little clothing as possible. Because you lose water weight overnight, you'll get a lower number, too. Place your scale on a hard, even surface—no carpeting.