Bloating Before a Period: Causes and Treatment

 

What is bloating before a period?

Bloating is one of the most prevalent PMS symptoms, and it happens right before your period begins. However, bloating does not have to occur on a monthly basis. Parts of your body, such as the abdomen, tighten or expand, giving the impression that you've gained weight.

It normally fades away after a few days of bleeding, and while you can't totally avoid it, there are things you can take to minimize it.

Is it weight gain?

Weight gain is traditionally defined as the accumulation of fat in your body. You may gain a pound or two owing to bloating, but this is not due to fat deposits. When your body holds water, bloating happens, and a variety of things determine how much bloating you will experience:

• It's in your genes.

• Your vitamin and mineral intake, both in terms of quantity and type.

• The amount of salt in your diet.

• How much food you consume while taking caffeine or alcohol.

What causes it?

The hormonal variations that occur during the luteal phase of your cycle are the most common cause of bloating. The body retains more salt and water as the levels of progesterone and oestrogen fluctuate, causing bloating as the cells in your body swell up with water.

Bloating was shown to be the worst for most women on the first day of their period, when their bodies absorbed the maximum quantity of water, according to a study conducted in 2011.

What can you do about period bloating?

Although you won't be able to completely eliminate bloating, a few lifestyle changes can help you retain less water, reducing the amount of bloating you experience. To reduce bloating, try the following suggestions and see whether they help for you:

Keep moving - Studies have shown that exercising on a regular basis can help with PMS symptoms including bloating. You should aim to receive roughly 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week to stay healthy.

Drink lots of water - It's a widely held concept that increasing water intake will aid with water retention by improving kidney function and, as a result, reducing bloating. Even if there isn't enough data to back up this claim, it's worth a shot because being hydrated has numerous health benefits.

Avoid salty foods and refined carbohydrates - Salt includes sodium, which causes your body to retain water. Processed meals are high in salt, and you should try to avoid them while cooking with less salt to avoid bloating. The daily recommended salt intake is roughly 1500 mg, which is best obtained by eating home cooked meals.

Eat the correct foods - Potassium and other diuretics increase urine production, which helps to lower sodium levels in the body. Your body gets rid of excess water by passing more urine, causing you to bloat less. To reduce bloating, eat foods like sweet potatoes, asparagus, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, cucumber, and so on.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol - Both caffeine and alcohol have been shown to exacerbate PMS symptoms, including bloating. It's advisable to stay away from them, especially if you're going to bleed. If you find it difficult to go without coffee during your period, try substituting tea or decaffeinated coffee instead.

Is bloating a symptom of pregnancy?

While bloating is typically a PMS symptom, it can also be a sign of early pregnancy because your body's oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate in both circumstances. If you're not sure if your bloating is due to pregnancy, search for other pregnancy symptoms and consider obtaining a pregnancy test if your periods don't come in a reasonable amount of time.

Message from Bliss Pads

Bloating is normally harmless and doesn't require medical attention. If it interferes with your daily activities or continues after your period has ended, it could be a sign of a significant underlying problem that requires a visit to the doctor.