How much weight is it normal to gain during period

Even then when you step on the weight scale at the end of the week, you notice a higher number than last week. You feel heavier and your clothes seem a bit tighter. Does this happen with you every month close to your monthly cycle? If yes, then you are not alone. Period weight gain is real and is quite normal. Close to those 5 painful days of the month, most women gain weight but it is temporary.

The fluctuation in the weighing scale during the monthly menstrual cycle is mostly due to water retention. This is caused due to hormones- estrogen and progesterone, which rapidly decrease before the period. These two hormones are also responsible for managing the electrolytes balance and fluctuation in it forces the tissues to accumulate more fluid, resulting in water retention, or edema.

The process of water retention often leads to swelling or puffiness in your breasts and stomach. So, the weight gain during the period is basically water and not fat. As soon as you are done with your 5 days, the level of hormones comes back to normal and you lose all the gained weight.

Thirdly, during the period, craving for unhealthy and fattening food increases. Most of the time women cave in to their cravings and binge eat.

That's due to fall in the level of progesterone, which works as an appetite stimulant. Eating high-sugar or high-fat foods can increase calorie intake and a low amount of physical activity can easily lead to weight gain. Most women gain 2 to 3 kilos during their period. But this weight is generally water weight and after the period is over, the extra weight is lost automatically.

The changes generally start to appear 3 to 4 days before the monthly cycle and disappear day after that. Other normal symptoms noticed during the period include:. There is no need to worry about water weight gain during the period. It is quite normal. You just need to stay away from eating unhealthy, sugar and fat-laden food items. The weight gain caused due to overeating is permanent and you have to make extra effort to lose those extra kilos. Here are a few things that you can do during the period to stay healthy.

Drink more water: Drink enough water throughout the week. This will help to maintain the electrolyte level in the body and prevent your body from conserving fluids. Eat fiber-rich foods: Eating fiber-rich foods can prevent constipation, which is common during this time. Fiber will help in easy movement of bowel and prevent you from overeating. Reduce salt intake: Eating too much salt during this time can increase water retention and make you feel more bloated.

Period bloating or stomach cramps can make your clothes feel tight and uncomfortable. During your period, hormonal changes can increase gas in your gastrointestinal GI tract and cause bloating.

Water retention in your abdomen may also lead to bloating. Bloating can be described as feeling tight or swollen in your stomach or other parts of your body. Stomach cramps can also cause the sensation of weight gain. These cramps are caused by chemicals called prostaglandins that are released by your uterus.

Prostaglandins make your uterus contract and shed its lining. This causes abdominal pain during your period. Bloating may start five days before your period and continue into the first few days of menstruation. Stomach cramps, which begin one or two days before your period, can also last for a few days.

In the week before your period, progesterone levels increase. Progesterone is an appetite stimulant. As progesterone rises, you might eat more than usual. Estrogen also regulates serotonin , a neurotransmitter that controls mood and reduces appetite. When estrogen drops right before your period, so does serotonin. The result is a bigger appetite.

Low serotonin can also increase sugar cravings because high-carbohydrate foods help the body make serotonin. If serotonin is low, the brain craves more sugar. Eating high-sugar foods can increase your calorie intake and lead to weight gain. Your metabolic rate fluctuates during your menstrual cycle, so when it rises — and your body is burning more calories — you might have a bigger appetite and crave high-calorie foods.

Throughout your cycle, hormonal fluctuations can lead to GI issues like constipation , diarrhea , and abdominal pain. Progesterone increases a week before your period. Period weight gain is normal and nothing to worry about. By eating less salt, increasing your magnesium, staying active, and getting enough sleep, you might be able to keep the bloating at bay.

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To better understand the connection between periods and weight gain, we asked two medical professionals to explain the science and share their advice and helpful tips. Whilst every woman differs, the general consensus is that us females can gain between 1 to 2 kg of weight or 2 to 4 pounds during our period. Vogel agrees:. Period weight gain is most commonly linked to the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which rise and fall throughout your cycle.

Nutritionist Alison talks us through the different phases of our period and how weight gain can vary at differing points:. If your diet is quite high in salt , this can tip you over into retaining fluid. Leaving you bloated and tired. A sudden influx of refined carbs will add bloat and show up when you weigh in.