Menstrual weight gain is caused by shifts in your hormones – which affect your body’s water retention, eating habits and levels of tiredness. These internal fluctuations may impact how you look or feel during menstruation and it’s normal to keep tabs on how your body changes on a regularly.
This page will explore whether you do weigh more on your period, the reasons behind why you may experience weight fluctuations during your cycle, and answer questions like “when does your weight drop after your period ends?”
Is it normal to gain weight during your period?
Yes, it’s perfectly normal to gain weight during your period. According to Women’s Health, typical weight gain ranges from two to six pounds, but how much weight women gain during their period will vary depending on the individual.
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Menstrual weight gain before your period is usually temporary and most will notice a reduction in their weight shortly after menstruation ends. This happens when the body naturally passes the excess water it has been retaining.
It’s also important to remember that, on average, an adult’s body weight naturally fluctuates up to five pounds on a daily basis. Some of those fluctuations that you might put down to menstruation or pre-menstruation are actually just your body’s normal ebb and flow.
If weight fluctuations are affecting your quality of life or self-image, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our healthcare practitioners, who would be glad to assist you on your weight management journey.
What causes period weight gain?
Does your period make you gain weight? Kind of, but not exactly. It’s actually your whole reproductive cycle. Your hormone levels fluctuate all month long. They usually peak twice: once around ovulation (for those with regular 28-day cycles) and again just before bleeding starts.
The hormone affecting this is called progesterone, which is produced by your adrenal cortex and ovaries. When it peaks in your system, you’ll notice water retention before your period — which can lead to bloating around your abdomen, arms, legs and breasts.
The rise in progesterone can also affect how your body metabolizes food and actually slows it down as it moves through your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation . And when things aren’t moving normally, we tend to weigh a bit more.
Do you gain weight before or after your period?
Ironically, weight gain associated with menstruation isn’t perfectly cyclical. It can vary from person to person, but typically starts in the weeks leading up to your period and ends three to five days after it begins.
Period weight gain is usually temporary, and you will likely notice a decrease in weight as soon as menstruation ends.
| Phase | Timing | Likely Weight Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Luteal Phase | 1-2 weeks before period | Weight gain begins (water retention) |
| Menstruation | Days 1-5 of period | Weight peaks; bloating is most visible |
| Follicular Phase | After period ends | Weight returns to baseline |
How much weight do you gain on your period?
On average, you will typically gain around two to six pounds in the days leading up to and during your period. This isn’t universal, though. Some people may gain more, some may see no shift from their baseline weight, and some… just don’t care. (That’s cool too.)
It all depends on your body and lifestyle. The extent of your menstrual weight gain can vary quite a lot, based on things like diet, physical activity, stress levels, sleep, and genetics. No two cycles are the same.
Do you lose weight after your period?
As progesterone levels peak just before bleeding begins — causing water retention and temporary weight gain — after a few days of bleeding, your body naturally flushes out the extra water and returns to its baseline weight.
As your PMS cravings release you from their sweet/salty grasp, the amount of weight you lose after your period ends will usually even out to how much you gained while on it. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. If weight gain worries you there are things you can do to help regulate or stop it.
If you’re looking at your daily caloric intake to help manage your weight, we’d invite you to check out our useful calorie deficit calculator to help in your journey.
How to avoid period weight gain
There are many factors in understanding how period weight gain occurs differently for different people. If you are worried about gaining weight, or if your bloating gets uncomfortable and affects your bowel movements, these are some things that can help:
- Make healthy dietary choices: Reach for more wholesome snacks when dealing with the sweet/salty PMS cravings
- Drink more water: Your skin (and your whole body) will thank you for it.
- Exercise regularly: A weekly exercise routine is great for overall weight management.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: Especially ones that are rich in vitamin C.
- Always prioritize sleep: We tend to make better food choices when we aren’t tired.
- Take a probiotic to keep things moving:
- Try magnesium supplements: As long as you’ve got approval from your healthcare practitioner.
Exercise and eating lots of fiber, protein and fruits and veggies can help fuel your body and keep it at its normal weight. And when you stay hydrated, it can help regulate your body’s sodium levels (which flush out the excess water weight you put on while on your period).
Fruits that are rich in vitamin C help act as a natural diuretic — making you pee more — which also helps to flush out the excess water, while taking a probiotic can help with both constipation and diarrhea while regulating your gastrointestinal tract.
With the sign-off from your healthcare practitioner, taking a magnesium supplement or increasing magnesium-rich foods in your diet can also help to relieve bloating and the discomfort associated with it.
Final thoughts
However, if you’re experiencing rapid weight gain, your PMS symptoms are impacting your quality of life or are lasting past the end of your period, seek advice from a licensed Canadian healthcare practitioner who can give personalized recommendations regarding your period and overall health.
At Felix, we have a team of helpful practitioners who will be happy to evaluate your health and condition through a secure online health assessment. They’ll typically respond to your request within 24 hours, and then reach out to you to schedule a virtual consultation.
Together, Felix is here to help you take back control of your health and quality of life, so you can get back to living life on your terms – the way it should be.
