Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of many symptoms women face during their reproductive phase.

One of the many symptoms of PMS is bloating. It is commonly reported by menstruating women.

Bloating can be extremely discomforting and may hinder your daily activities. 

It may also negatively affect your self-confidence as your stomach appears swollen or sticking out.

But some tips and tricks may help reduce the PMS symptom of bloating. 

Read this article to regain your confidence and get rid of PMS bloating.

Interesting Fact:
Estimated three of every four menstruating women have experienced some symptom of Premenstrual Syndrome.

What is PMS bloating

Premenstrual Syndrome may cause mild bloating, which may not persist for long after the start of your menstrual period.

However, you may feel the following mild symptoms in PMS bloating:

  • Abdominal fullness 
  • Swelling
  • Discomfort
  • Pain

A study was conducted on 144 women having Premenstrual Syndrome.

Among them, 141 women reported the physical symptom of abdominal bloating. It was the most commonly reported symptom, with a prevalence of 81.5%.

Caution:
If you notice severe symptoms of bloating, such as vomiting, nausea, blood in your stool, etc., consult your doctor immediately.

How long does PMS bloating last

Women usually face PMS bloating before and at the start of a menstrual period. 

The time before the start of bleeding is the Luteal phase. The PMS symptoms start to show up in this phase.

Bloating, like other PMS symptoms, typically lasts for nine days. It includes five days before the beginning of menstruation and four days after the start of bleeding.

However, this period may vary in different women.

Cause of PMS bloating

The exact cause of PMS bloating is unknown. But some studies claim that fluctuations in hormone levels can cause PMS bloating.

The Progesterone levels peak during the mid-Luteal phase and decline in the late-Luteal phase. This causes higher levels of Estrogen than Progesterone.

Estrogen makes you retain water, and when water builds up in the body, it can cause bloating, especially in the abdomen. 

Risk factors

Chronic Stress
Chronic Stress – PMS symptoms

The PMS symptoms, like bloating, may aggravate due to certain risk factors. However, the underlying cause has yet to be discovered.

The common risk factors include: 

Age

Your PMS symptoms could get worse in your late 30s or early 40s. It is when you approach menopause, also known as perimenopause.

This may be particularly valid for females whose moods are influenced by fluctuations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.

Chronic stress

According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, women who felt stressed early in their monthly cycle reported symptoms, including bloating before and during menstruation.

While the less stressed women reported minimal PMS symptoms.

Obesity

A prospective study with 1057 adult women with PMS and a 10-year follow-up period discovered a strong connection between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the risk of PMS.

The researchers found that for every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the risk of PMS increased by 3 percent.

Imbalanced Diet

Women who consume an imbalanced diet may have PMS bloating due to water retention.

A diet that contains the following in high quantities is risk factors:

  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Carbohydrates 
Recommended Article:
Vitamins can help in fulfilling essential dietary needs during PMS. Read The Best PMS Vitamins for Every Stage of Your Cycle to learn about the helpful vitamins.

Remedies for PMS bloating

Drink water
Drink water

Premenstrual Syndrome bloating may go away on its own. But if it worsens during the Premenstrual phase, you may use some remedies.

Here’s a list of the remedies you may use to get relief from PMS bloating:

  • Have a nutritious diet: Avoid eating food high in carbohydrates and salt. Try to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.
  • Drink lots of water: Water may help reduce bloating by flushing out excess sodium and preventing fluid retention.
  • Avoid caffeine: Caffeine may increase gas production, leading to bloating.
  • Physical exercise: Exercise is beneficial for many PMS symptoms, including bloating. You may moderately exercise for half an hour.

Takeaway

Premenstrual Syndrome can cause many symptoms; bloating is the most common.

PMS bloating may cause discomfort, pain, and difficulties in daily activities.

It may happen because of hormone level fluctuations. But the exact cause is still unknown.

Certain risk factors might increase the chances of bloating in PMS. It includes factors such as imbalanced diet, obesity, age, and stress.

You may use some easy remedies to help you with PMS bloating, like eating healthy, drinking water, avoiding caffeine, exercising, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Citations:
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.