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.

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!