Period Bloating: Q&A

A: Period bloating is the uncomfortable feeling of your belly being full or swollen around the time of your menstrual period. Many people notice that their stomach feels puffy or their clothes fit tighter just before and during their period. This is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. In fact, period bloating is very common for women before or during menstruation¹.

A: Period bloating is one of the common symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) ². The hormone changes around your menstrual cycle cause your body to retain fluid and can upset your digestive balance (causing gas), which together lead to period bloating¹.

A: Once your period begins, PMS symptoms should start to ease (along with the puffiness and uncomfortable bloating) often by about the second or third day of your period when your hormone levels begin leveling out again².

A: There are several simple things you can do to feel better when you’re bloated on your period. Here are some tips to reduce bloating and gas:

• Watch the salt: Try to eat fewer salty foods around your period. Too much salt makes your body hold on to water, which worsens bloating. Cutting back on chips, fast food, and other high-sodium snacks can help limit that water retention³.
• Take magnesium: Magnesium supplements can help reduce water retention¹.
• Stay hydrated: It may sound odd, but drink plenty of water. When you’re well-hydrated, your body does not have to work “overtime” pushing food down the GI tract. This can help reduce bloating and helps keep things moving in the digestive tract as they should¹.
• Over-the-counter relief: There are medicines that can help with period bloating when you have a lot of gas. One example is simethicone that helps break up gas bubbles in your stomach, helping relieve pressure, fullness and bloating⁴.
  Pepto Gas + Bloating (simethicone) goes to work in minutes to help you you feel less bloated and gassy.

A: Keep in mind that for most people, period bloating is just a normal part of the menstrual cycle and can be managed with the self-care steps we discussed. But you know your body best – if something feels off or you have questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing, it’s necessary to get medical advice.