Women Problems- Gentlemen enter at your own risk.

ReginasHorror

Ok, ladies, i need some advice. You know how it is at that lovely time of the month, the scale seems to decide to jump up a few pounds here and there to just add to your hormonal issues along with chocolate cravings, crabbiness, and overall charming demeanor. Now, I am one of those fortunate ladies (take that sarcastically or literally) who has a family history of endometeriosis. Now, I have not been personally diagnosed with it, because that would require laproscopic surgery and every doctor is hesitate to take a knife to me. What this essentially means is I don't always have a period every month. In fact, it can be six months in-between my cycles sometimes. (It's not PCOS, they've already tested, just thought I would mention this) So when one hits, it hits hard.
I'm looking at the scale over the course of the week and watched it climb up seven pounds. I know a few pounds here and there are not unusual, but seven? I'm under my calories this week (mostly due to loss of appetite) and I've not had a soda in what feels like years. Is it that I should be eating more? eating less? drinking more water? I'm kinda at a loss here.... Any advice?

MuddyEquestrian

I have the same issue although I've actually had surgery for endometriosis. I get the same issues when it comes to my period and how my body reacts. I drink LOTS of water, even if I feel like I can't I keep with the ice water, at least 6 very large glasses a day. I find this helps me feel better and not as bloated, it has actually helped me get rid of the extra 5 lbs I seem to put on every period. I usually eat MORE on my period, if you eat less it will do more harm than good. Eat lots of fruits and veggies and make sure you're always eating your max allowed calories for the day. Hopefully this helps!

iLoveMyPitbull1225

this topic gets posted on the forums every few days. Try to search them for related topics and see what it turns up.

bethanylaugh

Agreed, lots and lots of water, and take a midol, it will help with water retention.

Other than that... even *I* avoid the scale during that time, you're not doing yourself any good monitoring it on a daily basis! I wait until 2-3 days in to jump back on the scale. :-)

Bonny272

Usually when you get your cycle your body becomes deficient in stuff like calcium and magnesium. That's why you get the cravings. The post by shinelikevega is the best advice I've heard. I'll get a chocolate bar and split it with my kids so I'm getting a little, but not too much.

Susay2942

Water is always a great plan. You are loosing a lot of iron during this time, so I would suggest increasing your protien intake.
A high protien snack and/or meal will also help stave off the cravings too.

sevsmom

I don't have endometirosis. But, I used to gain 5+ lbs with fluid retention during TOM. I got so tired of feeling like a walking water balloon. Nothing I would do helped. My doc prescribed me a diuretic - just for a couple days a month. Now that I'm down near goal weight, my TOM weight increase is usually in the 3 lb neighborhood, not 5-7. Wish I knew how to make it go away. That and my nearly volcanic TEMPER and internal temperATURE!!! Geesh! Sometimes being a girl can stink!

Beautiful_Ideal

I have PCOS. Although I know you don't, PCOS also causes ammenorhea (lack of a period) for months at a time too. My doctor explained to me that not having a period for months at a time can be potentially dangerous, because during that time the endometrial lining is filling with blood in preparation for conception. If this goes on to long without the release of blood, your uterus can become swollen and engorged. When you eventually have your period, this engorged status can cause problems with your health because of the sheer amount of blood your body is trying to lose.

It could be entirely possible that your endometrial lining has extra blood in it, causing you to have a swollen uterus and abdomen, and possibly water retention. If it's not too personal a question, how long has it been for you? How regular are your periods? Has your doctor talked to you about hormonal methods to regulate your period, like birth control, simply for health reasons?

PuggleLover

My record is 9 pounds gained during "PMS" and I went up a pant size. I try not to get on the scale because I get so POed after I see it going up. I also eat more... every 2 hours at least to help keep my cravings down. Otherwise, I will binge on chocolate, soda and pizza and not realize it until I am laying in a pool or trash and empty soda bottles. I have endo - had surgery - and have to take daily meds followed by six month injections for treatment, all of which are "weight gainers" oh joy.

lilsaph

Agreed, lots and lots of water, and take a midol, it will help with water retention.

Other than that... even *I* avoid the scale during that time, you're not doing yourself any good monitoring it on a daily basis! I wait until 2-3 days in to jump back on the scale. :-)

I'm with you!! During that *ahem* 'special' time of the month I try my best to stay well away from my scales - otherwise I tend to want to throw them out of the window!!

jen_bd6

Just stay off the scale during that time. I have similar issues that you are describing... it is not uncommon for women to hold onto major amounts of water during "that time". Make sure to drink lots of water and get as much exercise as the headaches, irritability, and cramping allows. Try to eat your calories... even though your appetite may not be 100% try eating melon, and fruits and veggies that are high in water and fiber. That will help you shed some of the waterweight. Wait a couple days after your period stops and then weigh yourself. I feel your pain.

mrshoffman07

You have the nice endometriosis. I gain as much as ten pounds that week and my are monthly but last as long as ten days at times. I try to watch my salt and take dietrics the week before and of which helps at times. I also increase my workout ten fold that week. Hope this helps.

blonde71

I get bloated during my cycle. I drink tons of water and do give into my cravings within reason (for me, it's salty food). And avoid the scale at all costs during this time, it won't do you any good judging your progress while menstruating.

MrsSexton2013

WELL.. I had a hysterectomy in March.. for endometriosis, and with that said, I LOVE no more period weight gain/stuck! I agree, I would (if you already havent) eliminate the endo diagnosis.. retaining fluid.. swollen uterus? MAYBE.. also.. how's your sodium? I peeked at your diary, and saw the ramen noodles.. those things are full of sodium. I'm only conscious of sodium because I have HBP, so I read every stupid label. Now that I eat unprocessed crap, I hardly ever retain water like I used to. Sodium is hell on the old bod!

roboticgiraffe1979

I have endo too and have had two lots of surgery for it, its a hideous disease so you have my sympathies! Agree with other posts though, heaps of water definitely helps with the water retention. You might also find that eating tomatoes helps, the lycopene in them is supposed to reduce the inflammation caused by the endo adhesions. Lastly, re the irregularity of your cycle, mine had been horrendous since i came off the chemical menopause injections after my last surgery, but I have been taking agnus castus tablets at the suggestion of a friend and my periods are like clockwork now. You take them from days 1 to 14 of your cycle. I would say they also seem to have eased my symptoms too although that might just be due to getting back into exercise which I always find reduces pain levels.

ReginasHorror

They had me on birth control for a little while, but that wasn't for my period. they did it because I was getting married. they said that my irregular period wasn't much to worry about since i WAS having one once in a while. They said if I went more than a year without having a cycle then to come back and see them

LPCoder

Try researching the connection between too much estrogen in the body and endometriosis. You might do well with a progesterone creme (not pills). Estrogen and estrogen-like substances are found in hormone treated meats, milk and pesticides. Eliminating this from your diet may help and with the added progesterone cream it might be very helpful to you! Do the research: Search Key words: Estrogen Dominance. And try reading the book, What Your Doctors Don't Tell You About Pre-Menopause. Yes this applies to estrogen dominance and endometriosis.

LPCoder

Here are some good websites for some basic information:

http://www.drmarcantel.com/endometriosis-uterine-fibroids-and-estrogen-dominance/

http://www.drlam.com/articles/estrogen_dominance.asp

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/09/29/endometriosis-health.aspx

nxd10

Yes.

I don't do anything other than stick to the program, log and exercise at that TOM. Ignore your scale. Don't look at it until a few days after it's over. Which can be a LONG time if you only have it once in a while.