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About PMS Bloating

Bloating caused by PMS, pre-menstrual syndrome, is very common among women. About 40 percent of women suffer from bloating at the end of their menstrual cycle. This article will discuss what bloating is, why it occurs and methods of preventing and treating it.

  1. The Facts

    • Bloating is a feeling of tightness or fullness in the abdominal region that is often associated with PMS in women. Bloating can be very uncomfortable and can even add pounds of weight that make clothes feel tighter and more restricting. Approximately four out of 10 women complain of bloating before and during their period and often seek home remedies to alleviate the symptom. There are various ways to attempt to treat or prevent bloating," but the best advice is usually to just wait until the body adjusts itself back to normal.

    Evolution

    • Bloating before and during a woman's period is due mostly to hormones. At this time in the menstrual cycle, the hormone levels in a woman's body are high, which causes gas and stool to move more slowly through the intestinal tract. This can result in bloating of the abdomen and an uncomfortable "full" feeling, and even constipation. Specifically, the hormone progesterone is linked to water retention, and women produce a much higher level of progesterone right before and during menstruation than at any other time. Usually, the bloating will pass on its own shortly after the first day of a woman's period, when the hormone levels begin to decrease.

    Time Frame

    • Women usually begin to feel bloated shortly after ovulation, which in typical women occurs approximately in the middle of their cycle. The bloating can persist from this point until the middle of their period, but sometimes resolves itself before the actual start of the period. All women are different and PMS symptoms vary from one to the next. However, persistent, chronic bloating can be a sign of a different, more serious problem, and women finding themselves with this issue should consult a doctor.

    Risk Factors

    • Although bloating associated with PMS is very common, bloating can be caused by other factors. If bloating is persistent, chronic and/or particularly painful, you may want to see a doctor to rule out other conditions. Gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, both also can cause abdominal bloating and require medical attention. If you notice your bloating is not going away during or after your period, see your doctor.

    Expert Insight

    • There are many medical and home remedies for preventing and treating bloating associated with PMS. The most important thing to do is to decrease your salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol intake around the middle of the month, for these foods increase water retention, leading to increased bloating. Drinking plenty of water and exercising on a regular basis helps to improve circulation and may prevent bloating or improve bloating symptoms. Supplements can also help with bloating. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E are common supplements that are known to alleviate these symptoms. And lastly, taking diuretics is a common method of eliminating bloating by increasing the amount of salt and water passed through the urine, thus reducing water retention. However, diuretics can lower potassium levels and have a risk of causing dehydration, so be sure to check with your doctor before taking them on your own.

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