Do we really gain weight during our period?

April 17, 2025

Do you feel like gaining weight every time you have your period? Your scale shows one or two kilos more, your belly seems more bloated, and you struggle to fit into your favorite jeans? Rest assured, this is normal!

Weight gain during your period is a common phenomenon that affects most women. It is temporary, mainly due to hormones, water retention, changes in eating habits, and changes in intestinal transit. So, .

how many kilos do you gain during your period? Why does this weight gain happen and, most importantly, how can you minimize it? Let's break down this phenomenon together and discover how to better live through this time by adopting the right habits!Summary

Hormonal fluctuations: the key factor in this weight gain
Every woman is different with a different metabolism
- Weight gain that disappears after your period
- How to manage and limit weight gain during your period?
Adopt a balanced diet

Before worrying when you see the scale go up, it is important to understand the real

reasons for this weight gain during your period. No, it is not necessarily excess fat, but a combination of physiological factors related to the menstrual cycle, such as hormonal fluctuations, diet, or intestinal transit.Hormonal fluctuations: the key factor in this weight gain

Female

hormones directly influence your weight and your water retention throughout the menstrual cycle. 🩸 Source: Cyclotest

Fluctuation hormonale règle liée à la prise de poids pendant les règles

Let's look at the main hormones that influence gaining a few kilos:

Estrogens

increase before your period, promoting water retention and variations in the regulation of body fluids. The result? You feel bloated and heavier without actually gaining fat!Progesterone, which dominates before menstruation, tends to
slow digestion and stimulate appetite. That’s why you experience more cravings and your intestinal transit becomes more unpredictable.Cortisol, the stress hormone, can also rise before and during your period. If you are stressed, your body tends to store more water
and increase sugar cravings.The increase of these hormones in your body will .

promote water retention. Water retention is an accumulation of water in the tissues, which causes the body to swell. Usually, water retention mainly occurs in the lower legs and creates a heavy legs sensation. Water retention can make you gain up to 2 kilos more as your period approaches.But don’t panic, this hormonal cocktail causes temporary weight gain that

naturally disappears after your period. 😊Changes in eating behaviorDo you have more hunger before and during your period

? Do you find yourself eating more chocolate, chips, or fatty foods? 🍫 This is completely normal! And it is scientifically explained. 👩‍🔬

If you tend to change your eating habits during your period, it’s because:

Serotonin drop: serotonin, the well-being hormone, drops before your period. The result? Your body pushes you to consume comfort foods rich in sugar and fat

to compensate!Glycemic imbalance: hormones also alter blood sugar management
, causing uncontrollable cravings for sweet foods.Increased metabolism: good news, your metabolism slightly increases
before and during your period. You burn a bit more calories, but if your intake exceeds this increase, it can result in a slight weight gain. If there is one cause of weight gain during your period to watch out for, it is this one. Unlike water retention, these .

kilos won’t disappear magically.Even if your metabolism speeds up during your period, once it ends, it returns to its original function. So if you have developed
bad eating habits and keep them after your period, the kilos will soon follow.To limit weight gain related to diet and to experience your period without frustration, we recommend you

add a bit more sweetness to your diet without overdoing it by alternating between pizza, chips, and candy.Changes in intestinal transit and digestionDo you feel like your digestion is slower before your period

? That your

belly is bloated and your transit becomes irregular? Yes, this is a common phenomenon!During the menstrual cycle,

hormones directly influence your digestive system. In particular, progesterone, which peaks just before your period, tends to slow intestinal transit.The result? You may experience:A feeling of bloating

: your belly looks more swollen than usual, as if you ate too much.

Constipation: elimination becomes more difficult and you feel heavier.Gas
and abdominal pain related to slowed transit.
Paradoxically, diarrhea at the start of your period: when progesterone drops sharply, your transit speeds up, sometimes causing the opposite effect.But why these changes? It’s all about hormones. In addition to progesterone, prostaglandins
, which are released to promote uterine contractions and expel the uterine lining, can also stimulate

intestinal contractions. That’s why some women have more frequent stools or even diarrhea at the start of their period.The change in your intestinal transit will not cause you to gain extra kilos during your period. However, it will give you a feeling of heaviness and discomfort during and before your period.Yes, you gain a few kilos during your period

, and as if that wasn’t enough, you will also feel heaviness and various discomforts slightly before and during your period.But good news! Some of these kilos will leave on their own.How much weight gain occurs during your period?

Now that we have seen the reasons that stimulate gaining a few kilos during your period, it’s time to answer the big question:
how many kilos can you really gain during your period?

You may have already noticed that

your weight fluctuates throughout the month. One morning, the scale shows a higher number than usual, and a few days later, you find your normal weight again… But is it real weight gain? 🤔Every woman is different with a different metabolismYou may have noticed that your

weight gain during your period varies from cycle to cycle, or that some of your friends hardly gain anything, while you feel bloated every time… That’s because every body reacts differently to hormonal fluctuations.Some women gain only

a few hundred grams

, while others can see their weight increase by 2 to 3 kilos before or during their period. 🩸So why this difference between women?

Several factors influence this temporary weight gain:Your tendency to retain water: some women are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, which leads to a greater accumulation of fluids in the tissues. The result? A feeling of bloating, especially in the belly, legs, and breasts.

Your diet and physical activity level:

if you consume more salt, sugar, and processed foods, your body retains more fat. Conversely, a diet rich in fiber and protein can help limit this retention. Likewise, moving and sweating
promotes fluid elimination and reduces the feeling of bloating.Your natural hormonal balance: every woman has a unique menstrual cycle, with varying levels of estrogen and progesterone. Some react more strongly to these variations, which affects their appetite, digestion, and water retention.But good news! No matter the
number of kilos you gain during this period, this weight gain is not permanent. 🤗

Weight gain that disappears after your periodRest assured: these kilos are not here to stay! Unlike weight gain linked to long-term overeating, the kilos gained before and during your period are not just fat, but mainly water stored by the body.

💧

As soon as your hormones return to normal, your body naturally starts to rebalance:Excess water is gradually eliminated: you may notice an increased need to urinate after your period. This is simply your body getting rid of retained water.Your appetite returns to normal: cravings disappear along with the drop in progesterone. You no longer have that irresistible urge for chocolate or salty snacks. 🍫

Your transit improves:

if you suffered from constipation or bloating, your digestion returns to its usual rhythm. Your belly becomes flatter and the feeling of heaviness fades.That’s why it is
useless to weigh yourself during your period! The scale does not reflect your true weight, and you risk stressing over a temporary and natural variation. 🤗
Moral of the story? Trust your body! It knows how to rebalance itself once the hormonal storm has passed. 💙How to manage and limit weight gain during your period?

Good news: you can take action to limit this temporary weight gain! Even though hormonal fluctuations are inevitable, your

diet

, your

physical activity, and your stress management play a key role. By adopting a few good habits, you can reduce the feeling of bloating, limit water retention, avoid gaining kilos that will stay, and regain better comfort!Adopt a balanced dietWhat you eat directly influences your water retention, energy, and cravings. A suitable diet can help limit these discomforts and avoid the feeling of heaviness.Foods to favor during your period:Foods rich in potassium (bananas, spinach, avocados, sweet potatoes, lentils). 🍌

Why? Because they

regulate water balance

and help

eliminate excess salt from the body.Lean proteins
(fish, chicken, tofu, eggs) 🐟: they are filling and stabilize your blood sugar, which limits sweet cravings.Foods rich in fiber (green vegetables, whole grains, chia seeds) 🥦: they promote good
intestinal transit and reduce bloating.Foods rich in magnesium
(nuts, dark chocolate, seeds, green vegetables) 🍫: they help relax muscles and regulate mood, thus reducing sugar cravings and menstrual cramps.Foods to avoid during your period:Excess salt: it promotes water retention
and increases the feeling of bloating. Limit processed foods, deli meats, salty snacks, and sodium-rich sauces. 🧂Refined sugars cause a blood sugar spike followed by a sharp drop, which leads to cravings and fatigue. Prefer fruits, nuts, and natural alternatives like honey or maple syrup. 🍭

Coffee

and alcohol: coffee increases the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can increase
water storage and cravings
. Alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrates and irritates the digestive system, worsening bloating. ☕💡 Tip: if you want a dessert, choose a square of dark chocolate 🍫 (at least 70% cocoa), rich in magnesium and good for your mood!The most important thing during this period is to find the
right balance between pleasure and a balanced diet.
To make your diet easier during this time, create a list of meals you find comforting and healthy to cook during your period.Stay active, even if you feel tiredWe know: when you have your period, motivation to exercise is often very low. However, physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce water retention, limit bloating, boost your mood, and avoid excessive weight gain.

Why is physical activity important during your period? 💪It improves blood circulation

, which helps your body eliminate excess fluids faster.It boosts serotonin

, the happiness hormone, thus reducing sweet cravings and mood swings.

It helps relieve stress, which is often responsible for food cravings and water retention.So what sport should you choose? 🏋️‍♀️If you feel exhausted or have period pain, there’s no need to force an intense session. Favor gentle activities that will help you without tiring your body further:Brisk walking: ideal for activating circulation and reducing water retention. A 30-minute walk is enough! !

Yoga

and stretching: perfect for relieving cramps, relaxing muscles, and calming the mind.
Swimming: excellent for feeling lighter, reducing pressure on the abdomen, and improving blood circulation.Pilates
: a gentle option to strengthen your core and improve intestinal transit.If you feel low, try a dance session at home

! Moving to your favorite music stimulates

dopamine production and instantly gives you energy. 🕺Manage stress to avoid water retention during your periodStress is a key factor in menstrual weight gain. When you are stressed, your body produces more cortisol. This hormone promotes water retention and stimulates sugar cravings.If you notice you have more cravings or retain more water than usual, stress may be the cause. The good news is you can adopt simple habits to better manage your stress! 😎

Here are some tips to reduce stress:Deep breathing: try the 4-7-8 technique (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds). It immediately calms the nervous system!
Meditation or yoga: even 5 minutes a day can make a big difference.Relaxing herbal teas
: chamomile or verbena help soothe stress and improve sleep.Warm baths: a good bath relaxes muscles and stimulates toxin elimination.
Listening to calming music or

reading a book: taking time for yourself helps release pressure and avoid emotional snacking. 🩷Avoid screens before sleeping. The blue light from phones and computers disrupts sleep, which can increase stress and sugar cravings the next day!So if your scale shows a few

kilos more before or during your period

, don’t worry: it’s completely normal! This weight gain has nothing to do with fat accumulation; it is mainly due to water retention, bloating, and hormonal fluctuations.The good news? These

kilos disappear naturally after your period

! Your body rebalances itself! There is no reason to panic or feel guilty. It happens to all of us 💙

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