Menstrual Cycle Affect Body Weight

Menstrual cycle in women tend to be closely related to the increase or decrease in body weight. Not only while menstruating, this also happening before and after menstruation.

According to SELF, Christine Gerbstadt, MD, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the ‘American Dietetic Association’, explains the changes in weight which is associated with the menstrual phase. Recognize the four-phase!

1. Menstruation
When the body begins to undergo a monthly cycle, you probably will feel cramping, bloating, fatigue, and uncertainty of mood. On the positive side, when the body is actively bleeding, then it will shed the entire uterine lining and prepare for fresh blood cycle.

Over time, appetite and desire to eat, and the bloating will disappear. In fact, you are at the lowest weight for a month right after the cycle stops. So enjoy!

2. Follicular phase
Follicular phase is the process of egg maturation. In this phase, the body will work hard to naturally choose the perfect egg. This is what causes the estrogen hormone to increase.

Unfortunately, the increase in the estrogen hormone is with the increase of body weight. Moreover, the uterine lining will thicken welcoming the embryos to be fertilized. Your body may rise slightly up to 1 kg.

3. Ovulation
Towards the ovulation phase, you will feel more energized, as well as your body. You will often feel bloated, breast began to tighten. It also will have an impact on weight gain. Some women in this phase are also experiencing excessive water demand as a response to the hormone.

4. Luteal phase
Luteal phase is referred as the time after ovulation. That is the time when ovulation occurs until the first day of menstruation.

In this phase, your will not feel bloating in a few days. But a few days later, you feel what is commonly referred to as pre-menstrual syndrome.

Not only feeling a surging appetite because your body is preparing for potential pregnancy, you will also feel eager to eat salty, sweet, and greasy foods. This can lead you to a weight gain of 1-1.5 kg.

But, keep in mind that every woman will experience different cycles. If you are taking hormonal contraceptives, weight gain may be even greater.

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