Amelia Grant

A period is a really rough time for every woman. Each woman’s body is unique, and PMS can be manifested in a number of symptoms, from slight pelvic pain to heavy, almost debilitating conditions. Lucky are those few whose menstruation symptoms is just a couple of pimples and a pair of extra pounds of weight gain. Many others suffer mentally and physically at this time.

Bloating related to menstruation is not the worst thing that can happen to you but is definitely among the most irritating ones. It happens each month due to hormonal fluctuation - progesterone drastically reduces and estrogen is unstable. As the period passes, everything comes back to its normal state.

However, if you suffer from gastrointestinal conditions, regardless of the day of the month, you can feel the aggravation of their symptoms during menstruation. In such cases, you should consult with your doctor about the options of IBS treatment. 

How to Relieve Bloating During Menstruation

This specific bloating usually doesn’t last for more than 2-3 days. The hormonal levels start normalizing, and you feel much better. However, even these couple of days can be quite unpleasant. But it’s possible to make them better.

Eat proper food

You should consume food rich in potassium and proteins. Potassium helps support the proper water balance. Proteins help lower the level of prostaglandins that give you that pain. Products with diuretic effects can also help, but be sure you drink enough water. And, of course, avoiding products that may cause bloating will be obviously a good idea.

Stay physically active

Maybe a workout in the first days of menstruation is not the best idea but even a walk can really make everything better. Physical activity relieves all the unpleasant menstrual symptoms including bloating.

Sleep well

You can’t feel good if you didn’t sleep enough. Your stomach won’t like it either. At least 8 hours of sleep is an absolute must during your menstruation and PMS. Don’t make things worse by a lack of sleep. 

Be careful with drinks

Caffeine and alcohol aren’t the best drinks for this period. Same goes for soda water. Caffeine irritates the gastrointestinal tract and causes bloating and diarrhea. So does alcohol. Soda water causes bloating because it’s packed with air bubbles. Drink green or herbal tea instead - it will calm down your stomach.

Hormonal birth control

If your menstruation always brings you a lot of unpleasant symptoms, it may make sense to consider hormonal birth control pills. They help bring your hormones to a balance and relieve most of the hard menstrual symptoms. But you should only choose them with your GYN doctor and never prescribe them to yourself - only your doctor knows your hormonal issues and what concentration of hormones you need.

If you suffer from bloating not only during your menstruation and PMS, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist and check your stomach. Sometimes it is enough to correct your diet and daily schedule to forget about the problem. In many cases. gastrointestinal problems are the consequences of stress and emotional breakdown. If that applies to you, you may need psychotherapy and relaxation techniques.