How does the menstrual cycle affect weight loss?

 Did you know that your gender can contribute to how you lose weight? The weight loss journey is different for everyone. “During that time of the month” Women experience monthly hormone changes that physically and emotionally affect them. "That time of the month” is another dimension to navigate to be able to thrive if you are a woman trying to lose weight.

The idea that women gain weight during their menstrual cycle is a popular belief. This isn't always the case, however. Water accumulation is the most frequent source of weight gain. Yet weight loss may be attributed to more menstrual problems such as PMS and increased metabolism. Weight changes associated with the period are typically temporary.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a process that allows women to reproduce.

It is controlled by many hormonal modifications that prepare the body for the transport of the baby.

An egg ripens in the ovary during each cycle and is released in the mid-cycle. The thickness of the lining of the uterus increases if the egg is fertilized.

If your egg is not fertilized, it is your time to remove the uterus lining.

The majority of women have cycles lasting between 26 to 35 days. This is the length of time between the first two consecutive cycles.

The typical duration of menstruation takes 5 days, but it can differ from one individual to another and from month to month.

What is PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), is a mixture of symptoms many women develop approximately a week or two prior to their periods.

The premenstrual syndrome involves a variety of signs which can impact your weight. Gastrointestinal pain is included in the symptoms. You may have a food appetite, but other symptoms may include fatigue and headaches which may lead you to skip food.

How PMS affects weight loss

The menstrual cycle does not appear to impact the gain or loss of weight. However, ‘been at that time of the month’ can have another impact on your weight. Many women are affected by PMS. PMS may cause you to consume sweeter or salty foods more than normal. Such additional calorie intake may contribute to an increased weight because salt directs the body to hold more water which in turn increases the body's weight (but not fat).

Even if your menstrual cycle does not cause weight gain or loss, your menstrual cycle will be affected by weight loss or gain. Women who tend to lose too much weight or lose weight too fast can stop having periods or have irregular periods. 

There are also odd intervals for women with obesity. Good health is signaled by a regular menstrual cycle. A healthy weight can aid women with irregular periods have more regular cycles. 

The menstrual cycles of a woman are powered by hormones that fluctuate and are not always involved in PMS. The pituitary gland releases hormones (stimulation hormones and follicle hormones) to facilitate your ovulation.

At the start of your cycle, the corpus luteum is used to manufacture estrogens and progesterone, which make up a nutrient-rich blood lining to help the ovum survive.  corpus luteum is a cell group reared from your ovary and released after the ovum has been released. This is your monthly guest (you know it!) in cases where the ovum is not fertilized.

How long does it last?

PMS tends to occur a few days before or after bleeding and cease once menstruation has taken place.

Medical professionals may diagnose individuals with PMS if:

• The individual has at least three cycles in a row a pattern of symptoms five days before their period

• Symptoms stop within 4 days after the beginning of their menstruation.

• The symptoms interfere with your daily job

Bottom Line

Over the entire menstrual cycle, hormonal variations can affect a person's appetite. In the days leading up to “that time of the month”, particularly people can experience food cravings.

Women may also feel bloated and retain more water giving the impression of gaining weight.

Several steps may be taken over a time to avoid weight gain. Throughout the cycle, an individual should practice healthy eating. This means eating less salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and saving low-calorie snacks to fulfill nutritional needs. Moreover, supplements of magnesium can help to relieve PMS bloat and other symptoms.