Why Do I Get So Bloated During And After My Period?

As your period is near, you start concerning yourself about bloating during or after period as well as all the complications that may come with it.

On average, 8 out of 10 women experience bloating during or after menstruation!

What Is Period Bloating?

Period bloating represents the condition in which the woman feels the abdomen swollen and rather heavy just before her period.

Bloating is also considered one of the many PMS symptoms which might take place 1 or 2 weeks before the period of a woman. Other PMS signs than bloating include:

• Tiredness.
• Swollen breasts.
• Acne.
• Mood swings.
• Backaches.
• Food cravings.
• Cramps.

According to the ACOG, up to eighty five percent of women have PMS signs.

Why Do I Get So Bloated During And After My Period?

Bloating during the menstrual cycle of a woman is a rather frequent occurrence, but why does it happen?

Bloating typically happens in the premenstrual, follicular or period stages. Period bloating is also known as fluid retention and provides a sensation of fullness around the waist region. It`s really uncomfortable and annoying sometimes.

It isn`t really the same thing as menstrual cramps and isn`t responsible for other menstrual signs like fatigue, headaches, emotional swings or back pain. Bloating isn`t a very serious medical condition, but it`s somehow irritating that each woman wants to stop experiencing it.

During a woman`s menstrual cycle, there`s a big hormonal fluctuation, particularly progesterone and estrogen, and this leads to a retention of fluids, swelling and bloating. Women in fact gain a few pounds of water now because of the estrogen`s ability to cause fluid retention.

Generally, by the 3^rd day of the period, the blood, waste and excessive water are flushed from the body and it can be considered that the woman no longer experiences this condition.

However, for those a couple of days, life can become quite uncomfortable for lots of women who deal with bloating and water retention. Bloating increases when the levels of estrogen and falls when the levels fall.

There`re other problems besides this condition which women have during period. When the levels of estrogen increase, bloating commonly comes with a lack of appetite, irregular bowel movements, which in turn lead to diarrhea and constipation.

Actually, this irregular movements of solid wastes through the woman`s digestive system may in fact lead to bloating. When the levels of estrogen increase sufficiently to lead to bloating, they might cause a blockage of the bile, leading to all sorts of digestive problems.

How Nutrition Affects Bloating after Period?

What we eat affects our digestive tube. This is the location where bloating occurs. Therefore, you need to put 2 and 2 together and acknowledge its source. Some people concentrate by mistake on yoga positions and other types of exercises when they experience this PMS sign; however, this is somehow foolish.

Bloating means nothing else than the fact that there`s an excess of air in your abdomen that needs to get out. All the exercises and yoga positions in the world won`t get that air out.

Therefore, it needs to come out as gas evacuated from your body or you need to eat something which will absorb this gas. No magical yoga position will do that, and there is no real evidence of any kind of mechanism that this will happen with any physical exercise out there. All this is just a myth!

How to Reduce Bloating during Period?

Where there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, a few lifestyle changes might relieve bloating during and after period.

Consume the Right Kind of Foods

High fiber foods provide enough fiber to get rid of constipation and bloating. Foods with high fiber content can also be consumed in order to avoid premenstrual bloating and preventing from even occurring.

This type of foods consists of broccoli, beans, asparagus, almonds, apples or pears.

Also read: Cramps After Period Ends!

Keep Up your Regular Exercises

Even though it`s perhaps the very last thing you want to do, specialists claim that getting the heart rate up is among the best methods of reliving PMS signs, bloating included. People who have a sedentary lifestyle have a tendency of having slower digestive systems. Sweating it out can reduce constipation and aid you feel active.

Drink Lots of Liquids

Be certain you`ll manage drinking lots of water right before your period. Carrying a bottle of water with you at all times can help, and consider filling it up a few times per day.

There is no right advice for the water amount you should drink per day. This varies from one person to another and depends on lots of factors, such as personal health, environment, etc.

A basic rule of thumb is to target at least 8 glasses of water per day. Two or 3 bottles of water per day should be enough.

Peppermint and chamomile teas are both wonderful choices for your digestive system. One of their properties is to calm down and even improve the function of the digestive system. Although it isn`t really known how this done, there`s evidence that these herbs have been used since long ago for this exact purpose.

You can get George`s Aloe Vera juice, a debittered juice which taste very much like water. Consume ½ cup 3 times per day and your colon will start moving, no doubt about it. It is a good method to use in order to get rid of constipation, gas or bloating.

Cut Back on Caffeine & Alcohol

Alcohol can enhance period bloating, just like it does with mood swings or tenderness. Coffer and caffeine-based products can irritate the bowels and overstimulate the digestive tube, not to mention bring a lot of dehydration into the picture as it retains water.

Pop an OCT Anti-Inflammatory Every Now and Then

Naproxyn and Ibuprofen blocks the chemical substances which may lead to inflammation and, therefore, bloating as well. According to Women’s Health, a few days before period, you should take 200 – 400 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

The doctor may be able to recommend you other treatments as well:

• Birth Control: Taking oral contraceptives might relieve your PMS symptoms. You should visit your doctor and talk about the best contraceptive method for you.
• Diuretics: This type of pills aid reduces the excessive fluid from your body. The doctor might prescribe them in order to ease serious bloating.

Colon Cleanser

This represents a combination of natural herbs that are used with the only purpose of helping with bowel movement. Although lots of women do not even know it, this is also one of the secrets of how to stop PMS bloating during or after period. Be certain the formula will include cascara sagrada.

Magnesium Capsule

This might just be the very best method of reducing bloating as it is the easiest and kills 2 birds with 1 stone. Deficiency of magnesium is quite common in women experiencing bloating and other PMS symptoms. You should try a 400 or 500 mg capsule and check if it`s enough to alleviate your bloating. It may take a couple of hours to have an effect.

When to Visit the Doctor`s Office?

Period bloating is an unpleasant situation for most women, but this doesn`t stop them from being able to get on with their daily activities.

Still, if this affects the daily life of a woman, it may be best if she would speak with a physician. – Find out more!

If bloating doesn`t disappear after period, it`s also best to visit the doctor`s office. Bloating can often be a symptom of a more severe medical condition.

Outlook

Trying a few lifestyle changes might aid you improve period bloating.

If none of this helps, and bloating becomes a real concern that it disrupts your daily chores, there you need further advice from a doctor.