Is It Normal To Be Bloated Before Your Period ?

Have you ever noticed your jeans becoming tight, or your stomach feels like a balloon exactly before you get your period? Stop worrying about this because experiencing bloating before periods is quite a common thing, and in most cases, several women tend to experience this situation every month. Have you wondered why this happens? And can you do anything about it? This blog will further break down why you bloat before your period. 

Why does bloating happen? 

Bloating is one of the most common symptoms experienced by several women out there. At that time you will feel like you have gained weight or like your stomach or other parts of your body are inflamed or have become tight. 

Typically, bloating will begin before your periods and you will get relieved from this within the first few days of periods. There are no simple and easy ways to completely beat bloating, still you can try some home-based treatments to alleviate it. You can manage bloating by following some simple steps like: 

• Consuming a low-sodium diet, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Stop consuming caffeine and alcohol. 
• Avoid eating processed foods. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Discuss with your doctor about the treatment or medications.

Bloating actually feels like:  

• A tight or full abdomen
• Mild period cramps 
• Puffiness in the legs, fingers, and face 
• Feeling gassy or burping more frequently than normal 

What causes bloating before your period? 

For some women, changes in hormones like progesterone and estrogen can cause gas formation during periods, abdominal bloating, and period cramps. When the estrogen level is high during the day time can affect the estrogen receptors during your periods. The high estrogen levels cause: 

• Constipation 
• The expulsion of gas from the digestive system through the anus
• Formation of gas and air in the intestinal tract 

Both progesterone and estrogen will disturb fluid retention. Whenever estrogen levels increase and progesterone level drops automatically you will experience bloating, and period cramps. 

Why does menstruation cause bloating? 

The crisp answer to this is hormones. During the luteal phase of periods, PMS will occur, at this time estrogen and progesterone will highly fluctuate. Also, at this time, the lining of your uterus will get thicker. In case you are pregnant, these fertilized eggs will stick to your thickened uterine lining. Also, when you are not pregnant, these thick linings will leave your body and you will get periods. 

Hormones are also not the sole reason for those symptoms you experience during the periods. Some other causes of your symptoms include: 

• Genes 
• In case you consume diets high in salt 
• Binge consumption of alcohol and caffeine 

Can bloating be a sign of another underlying issue? 

Often bloating remains a sign of other health complications, also you need to understand that bloating will never remain a single symptom. At times, a few people will misunderstand they experience bloating due to some other medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

For individuals with IBD or IBS, bloating will occur due to changes in digestion, sudden changes in weight, abdominal pain, and bleeding during bowel movements. Whenever experiencing a combination of these signs or witnessing consistent changes in your bowel habits, you should consider getting medical help, when the best gynecologist in Coimbatore will evaluate your diet, stress, exercise, and notably sleep patterns. 

When does period bloating happen? 

Mostly, you will experience bloating right before the beginning of your menstruation. Also, bloating is one of the primary signs of PMS, often it will start a week or two weeks before your periods. You may bloat every time, once in a while, or not even a single time. You will get relief from this immediately after you start your periods or after one or two days. 

You need to understand that bloating is not a single sign of PMS, other common signs include: 

• Food cravings 
• Cramping 
• Mood swings 
• Fatigue 
• Acne 

Notably, these symptoms may change from month to month, especially when you grow older. 

How do you reduce bloating during periods? 

As mentioned above, if you are experiencing bloating before or during periods, remember that you are not alone. Below, we have drafted a comprehensive list that could assist you in alleviating your bloating. 

•  Avoid sugar and salty foods: 

Few studies have suggested that there is a link between bloating and the foods we consume, that causes fermentation in your gut. Further, salty and fatty foods such as chips and fried meals will also cause bloating by causing you to retain water. Even some studies highlighted that few women will crave sugar-rich foods near their periods. 

• Drink more water: 

Not just during your periods but also every time ensure to drink more water, it is advised to consume 1.6 liters of water every day, and also you should avoid the binge intake of alcohol and caffeine to reduce the signs of PMS. 

• Exercise daily: 

Aerobic exercise will greatly help women, especially in fighting their premenstrual signs, that is you need regular movement at least for 30 minutes every day, throughout your periods. In case you are living a sedentary lifestyle, consider going on a quick walk during your lunch break, or consider swimming in the evening. 

• Take proper medications: 

Certain medications will assist you in beating period bloating. Always remember that before consuming any medication, you should check with your healthcare provider. The healthcare professionals will analyze your health condition and diagnose if bloating is the result of any other health issue, and will give treatment accordingly. 

• Follow relaxation techniques: 

When following relaxation techniques, your mood swings will be alleviated. Consider doing meditation, getting a massage, sleeping for 7 to 9 hours, or doing yoga, to stay away from period cramps. Simply, if you feel relaxed when engaging in an activity consider doing it then. 

How can I find out whether it is period bloating or fat? 

To clearly state whether it is period bloating or fat, concentrate on the timings and physical symptoms. Typically, period bloating will start a few days before your period and silently go off within a few days of your period. It is often accompanied by other signs like heaviness, tightness in the belly, or swelling around the abdomen, but it fluctuates and doesn’t last longer. 

While an individual’s body fat will build up slowly over time and won’t go so easily within one or two days. Also, when your stomach feels temporarily swollen and returns to its normal stage within a week, it’s bloating. Further, bloating will cause gassiness and discomfort, while with fat it won’t happen. 

Simply, consider tracking your menstrual cycle and also how your body feels throughout the month, this will greatly assist you in noticing the patterns. Also, try making slight lifestyle modifications, like staying hydrated, limiting the salt intake or processed foods, and engaging in light exercise can ease bloating. In case you are unsure or symptoms are not going away easily, it’s better to consult a healthcare professional. 

Will this period bloating result in weight gain? 

There is no proven evidence to precisely state that period bloating could result in weight gain. However, few studies have suggested that expected water retention during menstruation will make you gain more than one pound and trigger period bloating. Also, if you are a person who craves eating more sugar and snacks, it may reflect in your weight. Simply, when bloated your clothes will feel tight and uncomfortable, even though your weight has not increased. 

Also, when you are pregnant, you will experience no or minimal signs. One such possible sign is bloating. In case you guess that you are pregnant and experiencing bloating, consider taking a pregnancy test and reaching out to your doctor. 

How many days before my period will I experience bloating? 

Excess gas itself is a sign of premenstrual syndrome, usually, it will appear one or two weeks before your period. Also, the signs of PMS will occur during ovulation and the beginning of your period, and this will automatically subside within a few days of your menstruation. 

Simply, fluctuations in your hormones will cause PMS signs. As ovulation begins, hardly on the 13th or 14th day of your menstrual cycle, the levels of progesterone hormone will begin to increase. You will experience symptoms of PMS like period cramps, gas, and diarrhea, all this will occur when progesterone levels fall prior to your period bloating. 

Does drinking water help in alleviating the bloating? 

Of course, drinking plenty of water can greatly assist in alleviating bloating. By staying hydrated, your body will flush out excess sodium and reduce water retention, both of which are the main causes of bloating.  Further, water helps with healthy digestion, getting rid of constipation, which will safeguard you from experiencing that uncomfortable, bloated feeling. 

Drinking warm water or water infused with lemon, ginger, or mint can be greatly soothing for the stomach. Try to drink sufficient water throughout the day, notably when you are feeling gassy or puffy. Also, be mindful when drinking water because drinking more water in a single sip can worsen the bloating. 

How much bloating is normal? 

You need to understand that some level of bloating is completely normal, notably post-meal or when in periods. Mild to moderate bloating that comes and goes, notably post meals or before your periods, is not at all a cause for concern. Also, it is common to feel a bit of fullness or tightness in your belly a few times a week. 

However, if your bloating remains constant, and painful, or comes with other signs such as nausea, weight loss, or changes in your bowel habits, it indicates a significant underlying issue. In such cases, you should consider visiting the healthcare provider to find the digestive or hormonal conditions. 

When should I consider reaching out to a doctor with bloating during periods? 

Whenever you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, then you should consider discussing them with your healthcare provider. Also, some signs could indicate that your bloating is something apart from period bloating. In case you are experiencing sudden changes in weight, intense pain in the abdomen, witnessing blood in poop, or you feel like your bowel habits have changed, you should reach out to the best gynecology hospital in Coimbatore to get desired results. 

Final thoughts: 

In conclusion, we can say that, yes it’s quite normal to experience bloating right before your periods, but often it feels annoying. Just understanding the hormonal fluctuations behind it and making possible lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing your symptoms. Also, remember that everyone is different, so find what works for you and try to stay kind to yourself during your periods.