During your period, it’s normal to stall or gain 1-5 kilos that goes away after a few days of bleeding. So if you are experiencing a stall or gain in weight around this time, do not stress as you are still losing fat and cm's and this will rectify itself. It’s a physical symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS includes a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that affect women several days to two weeks before their period. These symptoms are caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. PMS is very common. More than 90 percent of women who menstruate experience PMS.
When it comes to your period on this protocol, it is fairly common to experience a delayed or prolonged period, especially within the first month of being on the protocol as your body is adjusting to new eating habits and changes in hormones. This does rectify itself and is usually no call for concern unless you are experiencing severe pain and bleeding which is very unlikely. If you find your period has been prolonged for longer than 5 days than your usual cycle, simply stop taking the HCG injections, allow your period to stop before using the injections again. It usually takes 1-3 days for the HCG to work out your system.
Let’s look at a few reasons why women often stall or gain a few kilos during their period while on their M-FOU weight loss journey.
Causes
Weight gain and that bloated, sore feeling in your abdomen are common symptoms during your period. You might feel this way for a number of reasons.
Hormonal changes:
Hormonal changes can cause weight gain by increasing water retention. In the days before your period, estrogen and progesterone rapidly decrease. This tells your body that it’s time to begin menstruation. Estrogen and progesterone also control the way your body regulates fluid. When these hormones fluctuate, the tissues in your body accumulate more water. The result is water retention or edema. Water retention may cause swelling or puffiness in your breasts, stomach, or extremities. This increases body weight, but not fat.
Bloating
Period bloating or stomach cramps can make your clothes feel tight and uncomfortable. This isn’t true weight gain, but you might feel like you’ve gained a few extra kilos. During your period, hormonal changes can increase gas in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause bloating. Water retention in your abdomen may also lead to bloating. Bloating can be described as feeling tight or swollen in your stomach or other parts of your body. Stomach cramps can also cause the sensation of weight gain. These cramps are caused by chemicals called prostaglandins that are released by your uterus. Prostaglandins make your uterus contract and shed its lining. This causes abdominal pain during your period. Bloating may start five days before your period and continue into the first few days of menstruation. Stomach cramps, which begin one or two days before your period, can also last for a few days.
Gastrointestinal issues
Throughout your cycle, hormonal fluctuations can lead to GI issues like constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The discomfort and bloating in your stomach can make you feel like you’ve gained weight. Progesterone increases a week before your period. This impairs intestinal muscle contractions, resulting in slow digestion and constipation. As your period begins, your uterus releases prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause muscle contractions in the uterus and gut. You may have pelvic and abdominal pain. Prostaglandins can also cause diarrhea by disrupting electrolytes and fluid balance in the small intestine. It’s common for healthy women to have GI issues before and during their period.
Decrease in magnesium
When your period begins, magnesium levels gradually decrease. This drop can provoke sugar cravings and contribute to weight gain. Magnesium is a mineral that regulates your body’s hydration status. Low levels of magnesium can cause dehydration. However, dehydration can mask itself as hunger. It can also make you desire sugary foods when you’re just thirsty.