Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as much as possible if you want to stay free from bloating during your period.
Alcohol makes worse most types of premenstrual symptoms such as bloating, mood swings and breast tenderness.
Besides that, alcohol will dehydrate you leading to the retention of water by the body with the result that you will be bloated.
On its part, coffee will irritate the bowels and like alcohol, dehydrate you. Keep off from both during this delicate period.
What Else Can Happen During Perimenopause
One of the first signs that you are perimenopausal is a missed period. As your estrogen and progesterone levels slowly drop, you will no longer have regular monthly periods. However, they do not simply stop altogether overnight, the process can take years, so you might not have a period for a couple of months, then all of sudden you will. You are considered officially menopausal when you havent had a single period for 12 months.
Many women feel like they are losing control as they enter this stage in their lives. Your body is transitioning and with that you might feel anxious, dizzy or even depressed. These are symptoms that arent spoken about as much amongst women, but they are often the worse, affecting your mental state and increasing stress. Not only that, but fatigue can also take-over, so if you notice a considerable dip in energy this could be why.
Some women report a more uncomfortable time during perimenopause, as opposed to menopause itself, but every womans journey is different. If youve ever wondered why some women suffer more than others, you might like to read our previous blog post on this topic.
Of course you have come to the LadyCare blog, which means we have a solution, that is proven to help up to 71% of women with 24 symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. This includes the more common symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and weight gain to name just a few.
Why Do I Have Cramps But No Period
If youre having period cramps but no period, or a late period and cramps at an unexpected time of the month, it could be due to a number of things. Common causes include pregnancy, cysts, or IBS. Lets dive into 9 of the most common reasons women experiencing cramping and what it means for your health.
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Intake Of Alcohol And Caffeine
When you are used to taking alcohol, you will realize that it increases or makes worse the level of bloating as you tend towards your period.
- Alcohol will make most premenstrual symptoms such as breast swelling, bloating and mood swings worse.
- It can also inflame the bowels leading to the overproduction of gas hence bloating.
- Dehydration from alcohol intake is also common and it leads to the retention of water on the body.
On the other hand, caffeinated drinks such as coffee will also dehydrate your body with the result of retaining water and bloating.
Caffeineis also known to overstimulate the bowels and cause irritation leading to production of gas and eventual bloating.
Perimenopause Period Pains Bloating & More
Are you nearing menopause, yet occasionally experience symptoms as if you were menstruating, such as period type cramps or bloating? Its not actually that uncommon and its definitely nothing to worry about unless you are experiencing ongoing pain or you have an underlying health issue.
As you enter perimenopause, , you might notice that you are getting menstrual cramps without actually having a period. Again, this is very common and you might also experience other symptoms such as breast tenderness or changes in emotions. At this point your body is still going through a monthly cycle, but you might not have enough hormones to result in a bleed.
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Could Endometriosis Be Causing Your Abdominal Pain
most commonly reported menstrual disordermedical professionalWhat is endometriosis? What are the symptoms?
- Period pain: Although many women experience cramping during their periods, those with endometriosis describe their level of abdominal pain as being far worse than usual. The pain can begin before menstruation starts and extend several days into the period. Lower back pain is not uncommon. The Mayo Clinic advises women to contact their healthcare provider if severe pain and cramping lasts longer than two-to-three days.
- Spotting: Light vaginal bleeding prior to or between periods.
- Pain with intercourse: Pain during or after sexual intercourse is common for those with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination: These symptoms are more likely to occur during a womans period.
- Excessive bleeding: Endometriosis can cause occasional heavy periods or bleeding between periods in some women.
- Infertility: Endometriosis is often first diagnosed in women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
- Additional symptoms: Other symptoms women with endometriosis can experience include bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, especially during menstruation.
When To Look For Medical Assistance
A missed period might occur for lots of reasons which aren`t really a cause to worry. However, if the missed periods may continue, get in touch with a doctor and ask for help in determining what`s causing your problem. If your period has missed 3 times in a row, you should contact your doctor right away!
If you may experience any of the following signs in association with bloating or abdominal cramps, seek for help immediately:
- Vaginal bleeding.
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Why Do You Poop More On Your Period
Blame it on hormones. Each month, just before your period begins, fatty acids known as prostaglandins begin to relax the smooth muscle tissues inside your uterus to help it shed its lining.
But those same prostaglandins can have a similar impact on your bowels, leading to you guessed it more poop, and even diarrhea.
It makes sense if you think of the cycle, Dr. Ford says. Until ovulation, the uterus is preparing to accept the egg and, once it starts, the opposite happens its cleansing to get ready for the next cycle.
For people with existing digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohns disease, period-related poop problems may be more severe.
Start Hormonal Birth Control
Birth control can stop period pain if cramps are caused by a hormone imbalance. Balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone helps thin the uterine lining so it sheds more easily. Hormonal birth control also regulates the length and frequency of your period. Some forms of birth control can completely alleviate period cramps by stopping your period altogether. Talk to your OB-GYN about birth control options, including the pill, birth control shot or hormonal IUD. Then, youll be able to choose the type of birth control that works best for you.
If youve tried all the treatments on this list and still have painful periods, or you want to know up front which option will work best for you, talk to your primary care doctor or OB-GYN. At HealthPartners and Park Nicollet, our womens health doctors can prescribe stronger treatments for menstrual cramps. A little help from a doctor might be the best way to stop dreading your periods.
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Tender Or Sore Breasts
If you boobs are sensitive to even the softest touch, then you may have a bun in the oven. Sore breasts can appear as early as two weeks after conception. As soon as the egg is implanted, your body starts making HCG the pregnancy hormone needed to support a pregnancy. The rapid increase of this hormone leads to breast tenderness or fullness.
Some women might mistake this for regular breast pain before a period, but in early pregnancy, your breasts will feel 100 times more sensitive.
Do Periods Stop While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding affects fertility, but it varies significantly from one woman to another. Whether or not your period stops while breastfeeding depends on your babys age, how often your baby breastfeeds, and if you use bottles or pacifiers.
The range of what is normal is vast. Some women resume their menstrual cycles within weeks after giving birth, and other women wont continue having a period until the baby is weaned. That means some women dont have periods for two or more years after childbirth.
When a period stops because of breastfeeding, its called lactational amenorrhea. Experts suggest that mothers who fully breastfeed wont have a period for three to six months or longer. Fully breastfeeding is when a baby relies on their mother for all nourishment and comfort sucking, eliminating bottles and pacifiers.
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Period Pains But No Period: Could I Be Pregnant
Period symptoms but no period might actually be a sign of pregnancy. This is because when the embryo implants into the uterine lining, cramping may occur. Following this, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, and more symptoms occur as the body begins going through various changes to carry the fetus. If you suspect this might be what youre experiencing, watch for these signs of pregnancy.
A pregnancy test can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after conception. But there are things that can make a positive urine home pregnancy test inaccurate, and here are some of them:
- Not following test instructions or misinterpreting the results
- Medications
- Blood or protein in the urine
It is also possible for a negative home urine test to be wrong:
- Taking a test too early or checking results too quickly
- Diluted urine
- The hook effect, which is something that happens when there are so many hCG molecules in the urine that they prevent the test from working properly. They are simply washed off the test, so the result will be negative.
However, the absence of menstruation doesnt necessarily mean youre pregnant. There are lots of things that can cause period symptoms like cramps without actually having periods.
What Causes Stomach Gas During Menstruation
Is it normal to have stomach gas during menstruation? Why do I get bloated on my period?
Bloating during period is normal and shouldnt worry you unless it becomes intense and causes a lot of discomfort. Otherwise, most cases of stomach gas during period can be done away with using home remedies.
Depending on the cause of the gas and its level of discomfort, the most common causes of period bloating include
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Watch Out For These Five Symptoms
Johns Hopkins gynecologist Mindy Christianson, M.D., says there are five common signs of endometriosis. Heres what you should watch out for:
Physical Or Psychological Stress
Though some stress can help you challenge yourself, too much can have a negative impact on your health. While we dont know much about the relationship between stress and periods, we do know the hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland, which controls the thyroid, adrenal glands, and ovaries. All of these factors work together to manage the hormones that affect your menstrual cycleestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.
Stress can throw your hormone levels off and, as a result, leave you with period symptoms but no period. If youre feeling stressed, take some time to learn coping mechanisms, rest, and reset your body and mind.
Other possible signs of stress: Fatigue, change in libido, upset stomach, insomnia.
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When To See A Doctor
A person should see a doctor if they miss more than two periods.
Sometimes, a slight change in hormones can cause changes in the natural menstrual cycle. This is not typically a cause for concern.
At other times, symptoms such as a missed period and gassy stomach may be signs of a more serious condition that needs treatment.
If symptoms continue or get worse, a person should visit their doctor. Likewise, anyone who misses more than two periods should see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Anyone experiencing the following symptoms, along with signs of ectopic pregnancy or other potentially serious issues, should see a doctor immediately:
- pain in the lower pelvis
- abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as dark-colored blood
How To Manage Unexpected Menstrual Symptoms
If you are experiencing period pain but are not expecting your period, the situation can be confusing and alarming. Many women experience pelvic pain, often cramping, but the cause may not always be your period.
There are several other medical conditions which can cause you pain or discomfort like that of your period. You may not be able to tell what the cause of the pain is, but if the pain happens when youre not on or due your period, then this may not be the cause.
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You Probably Have Endometriosis
Endometriosis can result in severe abdominal pain, no period or pregnancy symptoms
Within the uterus and during your period, the endometrium is washed out through the vaginal canal Sometimes, its possible the endometrium goes through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen, ovaries, and outer surfaces of the uterus.
If this happens, you should feel severe belly pain that is worse before, during and after period.
If you are experiencing cramps that are now severe while menstruating, its likely endometriosis.
Other symptoms are
Bloating During Period And Weight Gain
Gaining weight and bloating before and during your period is mostly contributed by the retention of water and overproduction of gas.
As the body experiences an increase in the levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones, a lot of changes will occur which contribute to gaining weight in preparation for a pregnancy. These changes include
- Thickening of the endometrium.
- Slowing down the digestive system.
- Retaining water in the body and many other processes.
Most of these processes cause abdominal bloating and bloating in its general meaning.
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