Is it Normal to Gain Weight During Periods?

Periods or menstrual cycles are a perfectly normal human phenomenon where on a monthly cycle the lining of the womb is shed, accompanied by hormonal changes. As such, as we all can justly discern that there is nothing out of the ordinary with this ubiquitous biological phenomenon. One of the questions that have been asked for quite some time now, pertaining to periods, is whether it is normal to gain a certain amount of weight during the monthly menstrual cycles. The answer to this question is ‘Yes’! Of course you can expect to put on a few extra pounds during periods and that is completely natural and rather common in occurrence.

The reasons responsible for this temporary weight gain can be ascribed to a bunch of probable reasons that can be drawn out to a list, as follows:

PCOS: Let’s address the elephant in the room. If you are suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, chances are pretty high that you will gain a bit of extra weight during your periods. Given that PCOS is itself a result of imbalance of reproductive hormones, the fact that it potentially upsets our metabolism is hardly surprising.
PMS: After PCOS, PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome is quite commonplace. Bloating and cravings for high carb food items are two of the most common symptoms in this condition. Understandably if you give in to your cravings and indulge in binge eating, it will pack around the waistline and turn up on the weighing machines.
Fluid retention: Sodium levels are thrown off balance during periods on account of the elevated levels of female reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. As a result of sodium imbalance, one frequently complains of feeling bloated and that can easily be explained by the fact that you actually retain fluid during this health condition and although it is totally normal, it does add to your weight.
Consumption of Food: As has been hinted at previously, let us once again reiterate for greater emphasis, that one craves for food and is tempted down the slippery slope of binge eating during the menses especially due to the female reproductive hormone progesterone. And it is a no-brainer but, the more you eat, chances are that those will reflect in the added pounds on your weighing scales.
Being Constipated: Let it be out there once and for all that menstrual cycles affect your gastrointestinal tract by constricting thereby making it doubly difficult to defecate. This results in you feeling not only bloated but it also adds to your weight.

As it must have been made amply clear by now, especially once we go through the list of reasons responsible for the current topic of concern, we can say that it is normal to gain a bit of weight during your periods and as such there is nothing to be worried about. If we just take care of ourselves, by eating and exercising as per our physician’s prescription, during those days of the month, we can rest assured that we will be all well by the end.