Do You Really Gain Weight During PMS?

When it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it’s hard to decide which symptom is worst. Because let’s face it, they’re all terrible. For some it may be the painful cramping and mood swings, for others it may be the headaches and the nonstop food cravings. But one thing most women can agree on—PMS isn’t exactly a feel-good experience.

And to top it all off, the period weight gain definitely doesn’t help the situation. But it can be hard to tell if you actually put on extra weight during thattime of month, or if it’s just the result of feeling bloated, uncomfortable and yucky. Well, as it turns out, it’s a combination of all of the above.

The key takeaway, though, is that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. And depending on which stage of the cycle you’re in, the culprit behind your heaviness may vary. Thankfully, Sheila Warren, RN, GMC’s Wellness Navigator, provides some much needed insight on 5 ways your period can mess with your waistline.

1.    The dynamic duo. In this case, we aren’t referring to cookies ‘n’ cream or PB & J, instead we’re focusing on estrogen and progesterone. As you may know, these two hormones play an instrumental role in the whole reproductive system.

So, each month, during ovulation and right before your period starts, your estrogen and progesterone levels skyrocket. As a result, your body retains water, which can increase your weight by as much as 10 pounds—but 5 is the average.

2.    Excess gas.After you’ve survived PMS and your period starts (finally!), your progesterone and estrogen levels drop significantly, and so does the water weight. However, in its place comes excess gas, which can make you feel bloated.

While bloating doesn’t actually make you any heavier, it can make you feel bigger.

3.    Tummy troubles. It isn’t just excess gas that makes your midsection feel all poufy; it may also be the result of constipation. As it turns out, that rapid rise of hormones during ovulation can cause constipation.

Once your hormone levels fall during your period, this can have the opposite impact, making diarrhea more likely. And to compound things, all those irresistible cravings can disrupt digestion, too.

4.    Indulgence. Let’s face the facts: salt-filled foods and all-things chocolate always sound delicious. However, when PMS symptoms kick in and you start your period, you don’t necessarily feel your best. One way to cope with feeling tired, uncomfortable and yucky, is to indulge in those cravings.

However, because you aren’t exactly craving celery and hummus during lady time, giving into those unhealthy foods only worsens the discomfort. And if you skip your workout, you’ll really be battling the bloat.

5.    It’s something else. While battling some discomfort during Aunt Flow’s visit is normal, if you notice steady weight gain without fluctuation or a change in your behavior, there could be another cause. Common conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and hypothyroidism can cause a change in weight.

One of the best things you can do is to keep a period diary, and to work with your primary care provider. As the healthcare expert that knows you best, he or she can help identify any abnormalities or changes in your body and health. You are unique and your health care should be, too.

Your Period Changes As You Age: What You Should Know

We all remember that day—the day when you got your first period. Once the initial shock and embarrassment wore off, it took a little getting used to. But like most women, you probably figured it’d get easier with age. After all, once you reach your 30s and 40s, you’ve had decades of experience—right? Unfortunately, though, it isn’t quite that simple. 

In fact, for many women, it can feel like their period is anything but routine. Sometimes it’s heavy, sometimes it’s light and other times you have the worst—cramps—ever. As it turns out, periods don’t just change from month to month, they actually change from decade to decade. Hopefully that means they'll be moving in the lighter direction!

Sheila Warren, RN, GMC's Wellness Navigator, provides a quick look at your period through the decades:  

Your 20s:

While irregularity was the name of the game in your teenage years, your 20s come just in time with some much needed consistency. A typical period in your 20s lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days and comes every 21 to 35 days (hopefully luck is on your side and you fall on the shorter end). But just because this is a typical cycle for a majority of women doesn’t mean it’s the norm for you and your body. Don’t fret if your period doesn’t come and go like clockwork. And if you have frequent cramping to boot, that is to be expected as women in their 20s report more cramping than older women.

It’s important to clarify that while irregularities here and there may be common, experiencing them several months in a row isn’t. Here’s what you should know:

·         Missed periods: Everything from stress, medications and exercise can impact your period, but if it goes missing for several months, there could be something else to blame (like polycystic ovary syndrome). If you miss 3 in a row, it’s time to see your women’s health provider.

·         Heavy bleeding or spotting: Benign growths, like ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, are common culprits when it comes to irregular bleeding. Spotting can also be the result of lower than normal progesterone. But timing is everything, so if you notice spotting after sex or your period is extra heavy several months in a row, it’s time to see your doctor.

Your 30s:

Unlike your 20s, your 30s are a time when your monthly cycle becomes less about the actual bleeding and more about all the accompanying symptoms. Thanks to an uptick in hormonal surprises, you’re more likely to experience night sweats, mood changes, breast tenderness and shorter cycles (meaning more frequent periods).

Some of these changes are due to a shift in hormones, namely a drop in estrogen levels. Make sure to take note if you notice these changes:

·         Intense PMS: Sure, you may have left the intense cramping back in your 20s, but now the bloating, sore breasts, food cravings and mood swings really settle in. There are subtle, everyday changes you can make to minimize these symptoms, like getting sleep, routine exercise and a balanced diet. But if these changes don’t seem to make a dent in your PMS, ask for help from your women’s health expert.

·         Extra heavy bleeding: A heavy period is hard to define--after all, it means something different to every women. However, a good rule of thumb is to talk to your provider if you are changing your feminine hygiene products every 2 to 3 hours, multiple days.

·         Long stretches between periods: More time between periods may be music to your ears, but big gaps between periods could be cause for concern. For instance, going over 60 days between periods could indicate low estrogen levels or premature ovarian failure.

Your 40s:

Just when you thought you were a period pro, then along come your 40s. Similar to your teenage years, this decade throws a bit of a curveball as period irregularity becomes your new normal. Thanks to your ever-shifting hormone levels, each month’s period is a bit of a wild card. Some months you may not have any bleeding, other months your ovaries are making up for lost time with a heavier-than-normal flow—it just depends on the month. And don’t forget about increased PMS symptoms like hot flashes and moodiness.

While you may be counting down the years until you’re done with periods for good, in the meantime, if you notice any of these changes, talk with your women’s health provider:

·         Extra heavy bleeding (and pelvic pain): Because of varying estrogen levels, it makes sense that your periods may be varying, too. However, conditions like endometriosis and fibroids can be aggravated by shifting hormone levels. If you notice heavy bleeding with pelvic pain, make sure to see your women’s health provider.

·         Skipped periods: Just because irregular periods may be more common, that doesn’t mean there can’t be a (unexpected) underlying cause behind an absent period. It’s important to be mindful of pregnancy until menopause.

Everything you need to know about your flow.

Women’s health is only one piece of your overall health, but that doesn’t make it any less important. That’s why GMC’s Wellness Navigator offers personalized care and support to honor what makes you—and your health—unique. Whether you’re in search of expert information, preventative care or recommendations for diagnostics and treatment, Sheila is always there, ready to help. Remember, there is no health concern too small.

5 Common Myths About Getting Pregnant

When you were younger, you wondered where babies came from. Was it some sort of magic? Were they delivered by storks? By now, though, you’ve left those childish fantasies in the past and you have a much better understanding of what it means to have a baby. Well—sort of.

The truth is most women still have a ton of questions when it comes to the whole baby-making process. And if you feel this way, you aren’t alone. In fact, several recent studies show that a majority of women still have misconceptions about fertility and pregnancy.

So, let’s get real about pregnancy. Here’s the inside scoop on some of the most common myths and the helpful information you actually need to know (and have always wondered about).

Myth #1: Your period is irrelevant.

While a regular menstrual cycle is typically 28 days, most cycles may not fit into this schedule—and that’s okay. It’s completely normal to start a few days early or last a few days longer. However, if you’re cycle varies and is somewhat unpredictable, this may make getting pregnant more difficult.

It’s not only about timing, though. The intensity of your period can shed some light into what’s going on. For instance, if you are experiencing a heavy menstrual flow, you may have high amounts of progesterone, and if it’s really light, you may not have enough estrogen. Both of which can impact pregnancy.

Myth #2: Your body clock isn’t ticking.

Now, this isn’t to say that you should rush to get pregnant before you reach a certain age, but it’s important to recognize that it does get harder as you get older. This applies to all women because you are born with all of the eggs you will ever have in your lifetime—1 to 2 million total—and every month you lose approximately 1,000 eggs. The older you get, the fewer viable eggs you have.

To give you an estimate of what this means—it is estimated that only 7% of women in their 20s have difficulty getting pregnant, where as 20% of women 35 and older have difficulty. That does not mean that getting pregnant in your late 30s and 40s is impossible, it means it can be a little more difficult. 

Myth #3: More sex makes conception more likely.

The old adage, “it only takes one,” is true in this case. While it may seem like simple math—more sex means a higher chance of conception—this isn’t the case. For example, men release millions of sperm in one sex session; however, more sessions per day decreases the amount of sperm released each time. So, more sessions doesn’t necessarily equal a higher chance of getting pregnant.

Instead of focusing on quantity each day, which can increase stress, focus on quality and timing in respect to ovulation. The ideal would be to have sex every few days starting 18 days before your next menstrual flow. Also, it is important to note that trying certain positions, crossing your legs or elevating your lower body to keep sperm in place longer, have no bearing on your chances of getting pregnant.

Myth #4: That past STI doesn’t matter.

When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), most women know that prevention is key, as well as regular screenings. Fact remains, even after being treated, STIs can still impact the reproductive system. Some of the most common infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease, can cause lasting damage to your fallopian tubes, impacting your fertility.

By getting routine pap tests, your doctor is able to visualize changes of the cervix and vagina and detect any inflammation, infection or abnormalities, all of which are key indicators of STIs.

Myth #5: Your doctor is focused on fertility.

While your OB/GYNcan help you understand your reproductive health, including fertility, they do not necessarily prioritize that above cervical cancer screening or identifying any abnormalities.

If you’re interested in learning more about your fertility, or addressing any concerns, talk with your OB/GYN. Even if you aren’t planning to have a baby for several years, it can still be beneficial to talk through your plans.

Conceiving expert care.

Whether having a baby is just a distant thought or in the near future, finding the right OB/GYNcan make all the difference.  With the personable, experienced providers at Gwinnett Physician’s Group OB/GYN, you will receive the customized care you deserve. Start your journey to better reproductive health with GPG OB/GYN.

6 Reassuring Reasons To Love Your Period

The struggle is real. After all, it’s the busiest time of the year and routine things, like your period, don’t get the memo. While it may be the last thing you want to deal with in the midst of the holiday season, there may be some unexpected reasons to love your period.

Of course, this doesn’t make the bloating, cramping and discomfort any easier. But exercise, calcium-rich foods, fiber may do the trick. So, with all of that being said, what are the period positives? Here’s why you should go with the flow:

1. You get a snapshot of your overall health.

For starters, the fact that you even have a period is an indication that everything is running smoothly. After all, everything from weight and stress to exercise and thyroid health can impact your regularity. The heaviness of your flow can also say a lot. For instance, it may signal that you have PCOS, uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease.  

2. You may be burning more calories.

Your basal metabolic rate, or the rate at which you burn calories when you are at rest, fluctuates throughout the month. The good news is, it reaches its high point right before your period starts. So, what does this mean for you? On average, you’ll burn about 4% more calories a day.

3. Your body is gym-ready.

That is if you can manage to swap those comfy sweats for workout clothes. Right before you start your period, your progesterone and estrogen levels are higher than usual, which means you’ll burn more fat while exercising.

And once you start your period, your progesterone and estrogen levels drop, which gives your body extra fuel and leads to a harder workout. And there’s an added bonus—when you work out during this time of the month, you’ll have fewer cramps and a lighter flow.

4. You have a really good reason to enjoy holiday treats.

Not that you needed a reason to enjoy chocolate during this time of year, but with your period you can enjoy indulging even more. As it turns out, the most common cravings during menstruation are salty, snack foods and of course—chocolate. But women crave these particular foods for good reason.

During this time of the month, low progesterone levels can lead to lower blood sugar levels, which leads to a hankering for sugar. Yet another reason is the change in serotonin levels, which spikes carb cravings.

5. You can finally indulge in some self-care.

Day after day, it’s easy to push your individual needs aside in an effort to get things done, especially during this hectic time of year. But the truth is, your period is the perfect time to listen to your body and do something for yourself. Whether that means having a sweet treat, taking a nap, watching a holiday movie or going to the gym—whatever you’ll enjoy most.

6. Your body experiences some cool changes.

So, if the five reasons above weren’t enough to help you fall back in love with your period, here are a few extra reasons:

·         Your voice may change (thanks to your reproductive hormones)

·         It may help you to fight off free radicals (all because you lose iron every month)

·         Your natural scent changes when you’re on your period

Stay in the know about your flow.

At times, it may feel like your period has a mind of its own. After all, it can vary from woman to woman and from month to month, making it hard to tell what’s normal. That’s why it’s important to regularly see an OB/GYN.

As one of the health providers that knows you best, your OB/GYN can help you to determine what’s best for you—and your reproductive health—at every stage of life. You can count on the knowledgeable providers at Gwinnett Physicians Group OB/GYN for all of your women’s health needs. 

And don't forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming GMC Women's Wellness Day. This innovative event provides women of all ages the opportunity to learn from some of the area's top health experts on how to make 2018 the best year yet!