Question (for women): Do you "gain weight" on your period?

moolovesme
moolovesme Posts: 33
in Health and Weight Loss
I don't know if guys will be comfortable/interested to read this topic :P But, for all the women out there...

I feel really bloated when I'm on my period, and I have a noticeably larger midsection. I'm on the second day of my period now. Earlier, I checked my weight on the scale and was surprised to see that I gained a pound since I last checked my weight (the day before the start of my period) despite the fact that I never ate over my calorie deficit. D: So I am wondering if it could be because of my period.

Also, I heard that somehow you shouldn't lift weights when you're on your period? Is that true? XD Thanks.
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Replies

  • TrinityTrinityTrinity
    TrinityTrinityTrinity Posts: 53 Member
    I'm on day 2 also, I weighed the same this morning, but I am sure I will gain weight because I really just can't fight the cravings and I'm always hungry. And I have a horrible migraine going on day 3, so all bets are off.
  • TrinityTrinityTrinity
    TrinityTrinityTrinity Posts: 53 Member
    duplicate
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Yes. I think most of us do. There are many threads on it, if you want to see what folks have said in the past.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    I don't know if guys will be comfortable/interested to read this topic :P But, for all the women out there...
    There are at least 5 of these posts a day on here...so don't be surprised if you get a few nasty responses.

    Yes, we (almost) all gain, yes, we all get bloated. You are not alone...so don't stress over your weight right now....it will go away!

    Its not true that you shouldn't lift weights or workout. Do whatever you are comfortable with and even try to push yourself harder if you can. Generally working out helps with cramps and bleeding. If anything, some studies show that you burn more calories this time of month...so take advantage.
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    apparently I'm going to be gaining the weight 2 weeks before. The week of then I lost it.

    *edit to agree with Heidi* I'm in perimenopausal state and the cramps are getting worse all the time. I FORCE myself out of the fetal position and take a walk...it really does help with the cramping.
  • GalaxyDuck
    GalaxyDuck Posts: 406 Member
    Yes. When I was regularly tracking my weight I soon came to expect to see numbers about 5lbs heavier than my regular weight for that time of month. A day or two after it's over, I'm back to normal.

    Like Sabine said, there are many other threads on this if you want to do a search and read through some other stories.
  • katwal87
    katwal87 Posts: 19 Member
    Yes, I have been very bloated and the scales haven't moved all week so I have either stayed the same or maybe I will see a loss in a day or two once my body is "back to normal".
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Also, I heard that somehow you shouldn't lift weights when you're on your period? Is that true? XD Thanks.

    That was made up by girls trying to get out of gym class. Totally not true. (Although if you're getting into competitive bodybuilding there is a tiny bit of research around timing your training to your natural hormonal cycles - for amateurs, though, I don't think it's going to make a difference.)
  • moolovesme
    moolovesme Posts: 33
    Now I know I'm not alone. (Guess I should have done a search first, sorry. :) Gonna make sure to do one before starting a topic next time...)

    Thanks for all the responses, everyone. I'll just try my best not to stress over my weight. The regular mood swings are bad enough. Haha! I will also continue to lift weights.
  • Natashaa1991
    Natashaa1991 Posts: 866 Member
    i think i gain weight before period, in pms. i am actually in pms now and i look huge and bloated :(
  • LuccyH
    LuccyH Posts: 266 Member
    Always, so I think its normal, I feel bigger and horrible and ugly. And usually a week before its better to stay out of my way because Im on fire with my mood swings.
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
    A week or two before I'm due on I swell up and carry water like a balloon. Once the red river hits me, I lose my appetite and the swelling goes away *happy days*.......

    Men have it SO easy! Discuss lol
  • mommytobrayden
    mommytobrayden Posts: 28 Member
    I gain 4-5 lbs. when I'm on my period. It goes away as soon as I'm off, but it definitely happens to me too.
  • TinGirl314
    TinGirl314 Posts: 430 Member
    Ugh I gain like eight pounds and the scale doesn't move for 14 days...then I drop like ten pounds in two weeks and the whole lovely thing starts over.
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    I don't gain weight, really- I just get really bloated. It will be good for 2-3 pounds, some months.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I don't, but weight gain during ToM is normal.
  • emmeylou
    emmeylou Posts: 175 Member
    Be lucky you only went up one pound :P I can go up to 5!!! Of course it goes away and sometimes I lose extra (which I love!). Before I lost my weight I never noticed, but now that I am at a much healthier weight, I notice the weight gain and the bloating, etc. Blah. :noway:
  • LadyPakal
    LadyPakal Posts: 256 Member
    Me at the moment, I get a sudden weight drop the day it starts. Last month I lost 2lb overnight, this month (a few days ago) I dropped 1.6lb. Still feel a bit bloated though, so can't figure that out.
  • Corsetopia
    Corsetopia Posts: 307 Member
    I've only been at this a couple months, but last month my weight fluctuated the entire week I was on my period and on weigh in day it was a pound down when usually i'm 2 lbs down. It's pretty frustrating. This week I expect it to either do the same or no loss at all, I feel really fat right now.
  • lilylover2012
    lilylover2012 Posts: 39 Member
    I used to gain about 5 pounds during that time but since I've been on mpf, it's only been about a pound or two. Really, it's more like I don't gain (since you naturally fluctuate a few pounds each day anyway) but it just doesn't come off as fast.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Most every woman will bloat due to water retention during menstruation.
  • indygal76
    indygal76 Posts: 283 Member
    I had a hysterectomy in February and I can still gain anywhere from 1-5 pounds during my TOM (even though no period).
  • AnnKneeNorth
    AnnKneeNorth Posts: 34
    Nope I lose lose lose weight
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    I retain water, and even gain some water weight. Comes right off after it leaves.
  • PeteSuppoti
    PeteSuppoti Posts: 22
    In an odd turn of events, I gain weight when my gal is on her period.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    I'm using Mirena as birth control and rarely have cycles anymore, and if I do they are only 1-2 days of spotting at most. No bloating. No PMS. No b*tchiness.

    Best. Thing. Ever.
  • MrsDrk
    MrsDrk Posts: 153 Member
    No, but I do hold on to bloat when I ovulate.
  • movn4ward
    movn4ward Posts: 69 Member
    You are not alone, I have bloating that makes me literally one size bigger in my shirts and my bottoms are always tight for two weeks (including time of cycle). I don't usually get on the scale during my "on- week", but did for a challenge I am participating in last month. The week of I was 6 POUNDS HEAVIER than the week prior to and and following. I bloat and retain a lot of water.

    I think my case is extreme as I have hormonal issues, but yes the scale can make you angry during that time. I notice that as long as I exercise, maybe even a bit harder, my retention and cramps are greatly diminished.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    As everyone has said, it's water weight.

    To give you a personal example: I'm due to start on Monday. I stupidly weighed today (when I hadn't since last month). I hadn't lost a single bit--not one fraction of a pound was different. But I lost inches.

    Conclusion? I probably weigh LESS than the weigh-in I had today, but the water retention of ToM kept me at a weight I've since dropped from.

    Interesting that some women bloat ON their period while others bloat BEFORE (I bloat like crazy the week before I start then lose it all once I do).

    EDIT: Also, from taking measurements every week like I was doing for several months, I also figured out my boobs swelled a full inch right before my period... which is both good and bad X_X
  • jenj717
    jenj717 Posts: 3
    yep I think it is normal to have some weight gain. I don't know about the rest of the ladies but my biggest thing is a day or two before and during I am straving! I eat my normal calories (which usually is great) and I feel hungry and cranky. I always have to allow myself 200-300 extra calories for that week. I also work out harder- the cramps make it hard to start my workout but once I do the exersice does help a lot.

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