Why is weight loss bad during menstruation? Causes of weight gain before and during menstruation

Puffed up like a frog. Throwing myself at everyone like... It doesn't matter. There is a wish - horror. Everything hurts and hurts. Familiar state? Now I'm asking the female half of the population. Although male readers will certainly recognize their beloved on certain days. Before the onset of menstruation. All signs are there. Why do you gain weight before your period? Let's follow the whole cycle.

Remember what weight depends on? Oh, it is influenced by many factors, positive for some, negative for others. it

• genetics (be it wrong);
• nutrition (well, we can influence this);
• physical activity (this is also subject to us);
• metabolism, or metabolism (you can also activate it);
• hormonal background.

Stop. Let's talk about hormones in more detail. They are not only to blame for the monthly torment of women, but can also "explain" the appearance of a couple of extra pounds before menstruation. So, what awaits unfortunate women in different periods menstrual cycle.

Period

From their first day we count the days of the cycle. The entire sexual sphere is cleansed and renewed. The body of a woman is preparing to accept a new life, to pregnancy. During this period, estrogen and progesterone are very low. That's why…

First, fluid is retained in the body. Even women go to the toilet less often. Excess liquid - an extra one and a half to two kilograms. Try weighing yourself on the first day of your period or a couple of days before it starts. Get upset.

Secondly, lack female hormones deprives the feeling of happiness and peace. “You need to make up for this somehow,” the body says to the brain. And he gives the command: "Yes!". Eat, that is. Therefore, you really want sweets or fried potatoes. In addition, a woman begins to "seize" stress (she said: menstruation is stress).

Fortunately, all these phenomena are temporary. Everything will go along with the "cases".

Follicular phase

After menstruation, the body begins to intensively prepare for conception (whether you are planning a pregnancy or not). In this phase, a follicle is produced (later an egg will be released from it). Estrogen levels rise rapidly. Unfortunately, this hormone requires adipose tissue. If it is not enough, the brain will force to replenish the supply.

Ovulation

The mature egg leaves the follicle and begins to move towards the uterus through the fallopian tubes. The amount of sex hormones rolls over. The woman is in a good mood, she is full of energy and bright thoughts. There may be slight swelling and enlargement of the mammary glands. Because of this, the weight will increase, but only slightly.

The corpus luteum phase

As a gynecologist once explained to me, this is a kind of fetus (outwardly). It appears after ovulation in the ovary. This is a temporary gland that produces progesterone. Thanks to this hormone, the lining of the uterus prepares for the implantation of the fetus. The body also produces estrogen in small amounts.

The luteal phase continues until menstruation. In terms of weight, this is the most favorable period for a woman. Diets and sports exercises become more effective, weight does not increase. But a few days before menstruation, everything stops.

Some kind of shaking begins inside all systems. The body understands that pregnancy has not occurred. Everything was in vain. corpus luteum bursts. The level of female hormones falls. Oh, how bad it becomes because we deceived the expectations of mother nature.

Unreasonable hunger appears (more appropriate to say - zhor). I want something fatty, sometimes salty, sometimes sweet. Everything and more.

Menstruation begins. And everything repeats again.

Weight and age

While we are young, the body plows at full strength. The metabolic rate is quite high. The ratio between progesterone and estrogen is optimal. In middle-aged women, the metabolism is somewhat reduced. Hormonal balance is disturbed. That is, the amount of estrogen, compared with progesterone, becomes greater. And estrogen needs fat.

Women with an irregular cycle, with a cycle without ovulation, can face such a problem. And their number increases by the age of forty. Scanty brown discharge - and they become rare guests. There is more estrogen during these periods. Therefore, fat accumulates more intensively and faster.

In fact, such a harbinger of menstruation as weight gain is due to the internal processes taking place in the body, its preparation for the days that are called “critical” for a reason.

The menstrual cycle of a woman, repeating every month, prepares her body for a future pregnancy: the hormonal background and metabolism change.

The increase in body weight during this period is caused by a combination of several factors:

• Fluid retention in tissues.

Menstruation, especially heavy, is primarily a loss of fluid. If the picture is repeated monthly, the stressed body begins to perceive bleeding as a threat of dehydration, a signal to store moisture. In such cases, ladies often complain of swelling of the arms, legs, face. This phenomenon goes along with menstruation, but if the swelling increases or is observed for a long time, you can drink diuretic herbs, and if there is no result, consult a doctor;

• Digestive disorders.

On the eve of menstruation in women, the level of progesterone rises sharply, which relaxes the muscles of the uterus. The reproductive organ presses on the intestines, where gases begin to accumulate. That is why the tummy begins to grow. In addition, constipation is a common sign of approaching menstruation: stool accumulate in the intestines, which can significantly change the figure on the scales. One thing pleases - the weight increases only until the first critical day, then digestive problems usually pass quickly;

• Run into the refrigerator.

Even a mild premenstrual syndrome creates a psychological imbalance, which ladies seize on harmful carbohydrates - buns, chocolate. Growing progesterone aggravates the situation, attacks of hunger become more frequent, breakdowns occur that border on gluttony. Of course, the weight during menstruation increases because of this, and then it will not go anywhere. It is impossible to relax, justifying the need of the body: extra pounds will stick every month, which threatens with early obesity;

• Anemia.

She is a companion of the martyrs, constantly sitting on rigid unbalanced diets that cause a decrease in hemoglobin. During menstruation, 30 mg of iron is lost daily with blood, which finally undermines the health of a woman: bouts of hunger are accompanied by nausea, dizziness. Feeling a growing appetite, you should quench it with fish, liver, eggs - such food will not cause a jump in weight;

It is difficult to argue with nature, but it is worth considering this information, it will help to control your eating behavior at critical moments, to avoid weight gain.

Psychological factors

You can not blame the weight gain that occurs before menstruation, only on physiology. Premenstrual syndrome, expressed by instability psychological state, concerns 90% of the fairer sex. The mood changes dramatically in a matter of minutes, everything is annoying - these symptoms are familiar to many. And if you still constantly think about how to lose weight, observing such an undesirable weight gain, you can bring yourself to serious stress. So, psychological reasons:

subconscious fear of pain. In some ladies, periodic pains reach such strength that the mere thought of the imminent repetition of a nightmare is terrifying. Superimposed on the lack of self-control, a bad mood causes a craving to treat yourself to something tasty and high-calorie. Others add fuel to the fire, noticing the state of the lady, they often present chocolate and other sweets as a gift - then weight gain is inevitable;

There are also back side medals: having learned about the naturalness of the changes occurring with weight, a woman consciously begins to overeat so as not to force the body. The problem is that the period of such relaxation often drags on for a couple of weeks, and then a completely sincere question arises: “Why am I gaining weight?”.

Of course, you can negotiate with loved ones, ask them not to bring flour and sweets, not to provoke breakdowns. But to cope with prolonged overeating is much more difficult: perhaps menstruation is only external cause violations eating behavior, which over time run the risk of increasing, leading to excess weight. If necessary, to solve the problem, it is better to contact a good psychotherapist.

Sweets and weight gain

No matter how much you want to lose weight during menstruation is quite difficult. Not only does the appetite increase, but it also draws on the most harmful - all kinds of sweets, especially chocolate. Many, due to their illiteracy, explain such a craving by a decrease in hemoglobin and try to compensate for the lack of a couple of tidbits in the body. Few people remember that it is better to support hemoglobin with iron-containing preparations.

In fact, hormonal swings are to blame for everything: with the onset of menstruation, a fairly grown progesterone suddenly begins to fall, but prostaglandins are intensively produced. The purpose of these substances is to ensure the exfoliation of the mucous membranes of the uterus. The amount of female estrogen hormones that support the release of serotonin, the hormone of happiness, is also rapidly decreasing. Against the background of such metamorphoses, the mood inevitably deteriorates. In an effort to make up for the deficiency of serotonin through sweets, the body pushes a woman to the next candy. It is very easy, succumbing to temptation, to forget about weight gain, to gain a couple of kilograms.

Limiting yourself completely is not the best solution. You will crave more and more sweets. A couple of slices of dark chocolate will not cause significant damage, but it will kill an obsessive desire. Otherwise, fast carbohydrates should be replaced with slow ones: cereals, vegetables.

Diet during menstruation

For overweight girls, the fight against excess weight sometimes drags on for long months sports efforts and diets. However, doctors strongly do not recommend reducing the calorie content of the diet during. I don’t want to interrupt the process - what can I do, is it possible to lose weight during menstruation?

The answer is simple: weight loss and menstruation are quite compatible, just nutrition should be balanced.

Here are a few simple tips, which will help to make a diet:

• A week before menstruation, you should increase your fiber intake, it will relieve puffiness. Source - legumes, vegetables, apples;
• Do not drink water for an hour after eating, so as not to stretch the stomach, adjust it to small portions;
• Increase serotonin with the right foods: bananas, tomatoes, corn;
• Separate sour-milk and iron-containing products: together they are poorly absorbed, causing a breakdown and a desire to interrupt the diet.

Losing weight during menstruation should be comfortable, bring pleasure, not suffering. It's no secret that losing weight is painful for both weight gain and fading, the plateau effect.

Therefore, you need to establish a strict rule for yourself - do not weigh yourself during menstruation.

Regardless of why weight increases on the eve or during menstruation, the rules for its reduction are the same:

• Temporarily remove from the menu all fatty, fried, salty and mayonnaise. Minimize the amount of vegetable oil. And forget about alcohol, canned vegetables, pastries. All this retains water, which means it increases weight;
• Replace the excluded products with more useful ones: vegetables, grain bread, fish;
• Limit fluid intake, especially in the evening. After dinner, tea, coffee, just mineral water run the risk of turning into edema;
• It is noticed that the appetite increases markedly due to the lack of useful substances. Significantly relieve the symptoms of PMS calcium and magnesium, taking drugs containing them reduces swelling, swelling of the chest and abdomen. The pharmacy chain offers special vitamin and mineral complexes that help normalize the work of all body systems, reduce weight: do not neglect the advice of a doctor to drink one of them;
• Do not forget that weight loss is faster in the first half of the cycle, slowing down or stopping in the second. Decreased performance is not a reason to quit what you started, just the task is changing: now the main goal is not to get better;
• Don't forget about physical activity. It is not necessary to perform unbearable feats, it is better to leave marathon races for later. But gymnastics, swimming, dancing during menstruation will bring a lot of pleasant sensations, relieve stress. Moderate exercise increases adrenaline, which is involved in the breakdown of fats, and reduces appetite. If your health does not allow even light workouts, you can just take a walk in the park;
• It would be useful to discuss the diet with your beloved man: let him give apples and dried fruits instead of chocolates. Such a sign of attention will not be deposited on the hips;

Efforts aimed at health and weight control should be constant, then menstruation will cease to be a critical period, it will become much easier to endure them.

It's no secret that women often eat kilos, stop dieting at the end or at the very beginning of the menstrual cycle. A few simple tips will help keep your weight under control during this period.

Increased appetite, sometimes even zhor attacking in the middle of the night, constant thirst and uncontrollable mood swings - familiar symptoms? Then you are one of those who are familiar with premenstrual syndrome - PMS - personally. And although most girls do not feel it, the picture changes with age: according to statistics, more than 90% of women suffer from certain manifestations of PMS. Especially negatively, it affects ladies who are prone to fullness. Changes in the hormonal background awaken in them a brutal appetite. 3-12 days before the onset of menstruation, the level of the hormone progesterone increases significantly in the body. He is responsible for pregnancy, and a woman who is expecting offspring must eat well in order to bear a child. So, during this period, the body of the expectant mother should make reserves for the future.

Hence such temporary troubles that appear before menstruation, such as swelling, constipation, bloating and weight gain. However, some ladies follow the body's lead, releasing the reins during PMS and, as a result, gradually gaining fat. Ideally, before menstruation, the weight should increase by only 900 g, which will go away after menstruation. However, for most women, fluctuations occur within 1-1.5 kg. Now think about it: wolfish appetite made you eat 3 kg, after which you dropped 2.7 at best. (By the way, if the weight "walks" within wide limits, do not be surprised at the appearance of striae and stretch marks.) So, 300 g settled on the sides. This mechanism works every month, gradually accumulating excess fat. In order not to grow in breadth during PMS, you should follow simple rules.

Control your weight

Get on the scales at least once a month - after critical days, preferably on the same day according to your menstrual calendar - and write down the result. If the indicators do not change, then you know how to cope with your “menstrual” appetite.

Don't follow the mood

All women know about those dangerous days when there is an overwhelming desire to eat the forbidden and many ask the question: “How much does weight increase during menstruation”? Hang a sign in the kitchen with the simple truth: “PMS will pass, but the weight will remain.” It will block your way to the refrigerator and will not allow you to throw everything in your mouth.

Pay attention to nutrition

Avoid fatty foods- bacon, pork, all kinds of sausages and high-fat cheeses. Forget that potatoes can be fried, and chicken has skin, and that there is a universal sauce in the world - mayonnaise. Measure vegetable oil with a teaspoon, count nuts and seeds individually. In addition, pickles, alcohol, beer and, of course, sweets (this concept includes confectionery, pastries, sugary sweet fruits, chocolate) should be as limited as possible. Have an educational conversation with your other half, as well as with yourself. Analyze your behavior during "critical" ailments. It is men who unconsciously help women gain weight during a difficult period. A strong iol is afraid of manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in loved ones, especially tears, tantrums, quarrels. Trying in every possible way to alleviate the suffering of the lady, to show care and understanding, they buy and cook all those dishes that a woman does not allow herself on ordinary days. What a disservice?! Please note: as a rule, men pamper their loved ones with chocolate. Millions of tons of cocoa bean products are eaten by women around the world during PMS. Some ladies send their other half to the store for a chocolate treat even at night. But all these tiles easily settle on the hips and waist!

Not an iron lady

It would seem that with the advent of menstruation dangerous period should end. But that doesn't happen. Every month, during critical days, a woman loses an average of half a glass (about 100 ml) of blood. Is it a lot or a little? Some ladies do not feel unwell at all during this period. But others clearly feel weakness, constant drowsiness noted a noticeable decrease in performance. Sometimes they experience headaches, bouts of dizziness up to fainting. After all, blood is not water! The red liquid, or rather its composition, affects appearance and the woman's well-being. And during menstruation, the blood formula changes: the level of hemoglobin and platelets decreases, the level of leukocytes rises. If nutrition is balanced, such changes pass without a trace for women. But, unfortunately, according to statistics, almost 50% of the fairer sex have blood problems - especially among young girls who, for the sake of fashion and super-slimness, torture themselves with starvation and diets. by the most frequent consequence malnutrition becomes anemia (anemia), which intensifies on critical days. After all, during menstruation, approximately 30 mg of iron is lost. Trying to compensate for losses, to restore strength, women begin to eat heavily, giving preference to their favorite starchy and sweet dishes, although the proportion of iron-containing foods in the diet should be increased.

Feeding the blood

So how do women eat before and during critical days? Choose edibles that can "feed" the blood: lean meat (veal), beef, chicken, lamb liver, liver pate, all kinds of boiled clams - please yourself with delicacies like mussels, oysters, snails. Of the fish, salmon is the richest in the necessary metal. In addition, iron is found in poultry meat, eggs (more in quail than chicken), cocoa, sesame, nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts), dried fruits (dried apricots, raisins), dark chocolate, beans, peas , lentils, broccoli and plums. Wheat bran can be called the champion in terms of iron content. To increase the level of hemoglobin, it is enough to add 1-2 tbsp to food. l. bran daily.

Menstruation is one of the periods of the female cycle, manifested by the release of blood from the genital tract. And before menstruation, many women notice changes in the body. Edema, mood changes and weight gain are constant companions of premenstrual syndrome. The last sign is considered the most common, and appear under the influence internal factors. Knowing why weight increases before menstruation, the gynecologist will give recommendations to alleviate the course of premenstrual syndrome.

Factors affecting weight

There are the following reasons why weight increases before the onset of menstruation:

• hormonal changes;
• accumulation of excess fluid in the body;
• psychological problems.

Any change during this period is temporary, and after the end of menstruation, everything returns to normal. Blood loss for women is individual, and therefore, when the discharge ends, corrective treatment may be required.

Hormonal background

The most common cause of excess weight is an increase in appetite due to hormonal changes. The following hormones have a particular effect:

• estrogens;

normal after discontinuation spotting on the 14th day from the first day of menstruation, a mature egg is released. From this point on, the level of estrogen falls, and the amount of progesterone begins to increase. The hormone is responsible for creating a supply of nutrients, preparing the body for the onset of a possible pregnancy. This state of affairs is inherent in normal growth embryo in the uterine cavity. A woman notes a set of useful substances in herself in the form of extra pounds.

Under the influence of progesterone, every month a woman has a strong appetite before menstruation. Preferences in food are given to sweets that cheer up and soothe.

At the doctor’s appointment, a woman will say: “I really want sweets and get better before my period.” This complaint is considered the most common against the background of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This condition is observed a few days before menstruation.

At the beginning of the second phase of the cycle, in addition to an increase in the concentration of progesterone, a decrease in serotonin is also observed. It affects the mood, which changes in the premenstrual period. The woman becomes irritable and emotional. She is drawn to chocolate, which affects the level of serotonin. From sweets, the mood will increase, but this state lasts for a short time. Then again there is a craving for chocolate. Excessive consumption of sweets inevitably leads to weight gain.

Usually, excess weight does not exceed 1 kilogram, and after the end of menstruation, the gained mass leaves without a trace. This condition is due to the following reasons:

• breast enlargement;
• constipation.

Hormones, the concentration of which is normally increased in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, help to relax the muscle fibers of the intestine. As a result, there is a violation of peristalsis, which is manifested by constipation and increased gas formation. Infrequent bowel movements before menstruation also affect weight gain.

Fluid retention in tissues

The accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues before critical days depends on hormonal activity. Estrogens retain sodium in the body and, as a result, water. Most often, swelling occurs in the following areas:

• milk glands;
• face;
• stomach;

Progesterone deficiency is always associated with high estrogen levels during premenstrual syndrome. Together, these processes have a diuretic effect. Sensitivity to prolactin may increase. As a result, it retains fluid, which should normally be excreted by the kidneys.

The amount of vasopressin before menstruation is added. Its task is to have an antidiuretic effect on the kidneys. As a result, the frequency of urination decreases, and the excretion of fluid slows down. Therefore, the weight before menstruation increases, and heaviness in the legs appears. This condition protects the woman from the upcoming blood loss and dehydration.

Not only the physiological processes of water retention are associated with a change in the concentration of hormones. Often this is determined by the taste preferences of women. The use of certain foods facilitates the accumulation of water in the tissues. These include:

• salty;
• sweets;
• bakery products;
• preservation and marinades.

These products attract water and no longer allow it to come out naturally. Gradually, the weight begins to increase, which becomes noticeable not only on the scales, but also according to the feelings of the woman.

Edema gradually decreases during menstruation. In some cases, women note that they lose up to 2-3 kg of weight. Therefore, it is important to survive short-term changes and not start losing weight by exhausting female body diets.

Legs swell noticeably in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe legs before menstruation with a decrease in physical activity. A decrease in motor activity is associated with the appearance of apathy, fatigue and drowsiness.

Anemia

With moderate hemorrhage menstrual blood up to 30 g of iron comes out. Anemia and hormonal changes increase hunger, and to satisfy it you have to eat sweets and flour products. As a result, women note that the weight increases during menstruation, and after they end, they again go on a diet. To prevent anemia, you need to eat iron-containing foods (beef, buckwheat, liver).

Psychological problems

Some women begin to recover not only against the background of water retention in the tissues or anemia. The expectation of upcoming pain in the premenstrual period and the menstruation themselves are often frightening. From this, the mood deteriorates, hysteria begins, irritability, insomnia appear. It is necessary to use sweets, flour products as sedatives, which leads to rapid weight gain.

When the craving for sweets is great, then you can treat yourself to chocolate in a limited amount. In order not to gain weight without harm to the figure, it is allowed to eat several tiles a day. How many days this state will last is determined individual features every girl. Cravings for sweets will disappear when hormones stabilize after menstruation.

If it is difficult to control your appetite, then you should follow some recommendations:

1. It is necessary to replace sweets with dishes from complex carbohydrates. It is best to switch your taste preferences to vegetables, fruits, which are as rich in fiber as possible.
2. Wholemeal pasta and bran are recommended. They will help not only maintain a stable amount of kg, but also get rid of bloating and constipation.
3. The menstrual cycle causes the body to lose a certain amount of blood each month. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of hemoglobin by taking iron supplements. For prevention, they are taken 3-4 days before the expected period of menstruation.

To alleviate premenstrual syndrome, you need to know the causes of weight gain before menstruation. This will allow you to choose ways to correct and prevent the development of obesity.