Do you ditch bodycon dresses for oversized sweatshirts because of a sudden weight gain right before your period? Does your stomach stick out or seem swollen during shark week? If yes, then you’re most likely experiencing period bloating. Firstly, take a deep breath because this bloating is a temporary side-effect of your periods. And then, take a look at this article to understand how to manage period bloating like a boss:
What Is Period Bloating?
Period bloating is when your abdomen feels heavy and swollen before and at the start of your period. It usually goes away on its own after the initial days of shark week or once your period is over.
What Causes Bloating During Periods?
Bloating during periods is often a part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). For the unversed, PMS is a collection of symptoms like cramps, bloating, fatigue, and mood swings. You may experience them before or during your period. PMS is believed to be the result of the estrogen-progesterone (female sex hormones) fluctuations in the body during the days leading up to the red-letter day. These hormonal changes cause the body to retain more water. As a result, your cells become swollen, causing the feeling of heaviness and bloating.
Bloating During Periods: Symptoms
The best way to tell if you’re suffering from period bloating is to check for these symptoms:
-Bloating usually starts to kick in about one-two days before the start of your period.
-You may even experience swelling up to five days.
-You may experience discomfort due to heaviness and bloating.
-Bloating may be accompanied by other PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and cramps.
-The bloating settles after the initial period days or once shark week is over.
Home Remedies For Bloating During Periods
Period bloating is normal and will settle once shark week is over. However, these tips to reduce period bloating can help you power through:
Reduce Your Salt Intake
Consuming excessively salty foods isn’t great for your overall health. However, it can particularly backfire while you’re on your period. That’s because salt is rich in sodium that makes the body retain more water. Steering clear of packaged, junk, and salty foods can help you cut down on sodium and keep bloating at bay during that time of the month.
Drink Lots Of Water
Dehydration can make you constipated and trigger the body to retain more water. Both these factors can aggravate period bloating. That’s why you’ve got to up your water intake to at least eight glasses of water a day–especially before and during your period.
Natural Diuretics
If you feel constipated and bloated during or before your period, including natural diuretics in your diet can help you a great deal. These are substances that help increase urine production and get rid of the extra water in the body. Foods like asparagus, pineapples, peaches, cucumber, ginger, and garlic are excellent natural diuretics and you must give them a try.
Exercise
Exercising can make you sweat and help you get rid of the extra water and salt in the body. This in turn can reduce period bloating and help you feel at ease. You can stick to low-intensity workouts, mild stretching, and slow walks during your periods.
Skip Alcohol & Coffee
Both alcohol and caffeine contribute to period bloating and other symptoms of PMS. So ditch these drinks for water and herbed teas.
If you keep these five things in mind, period bloating won’t be an added period affliction for you, we promise. We hope this helps!
Featured Image: Pexels
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