1-888-988-5515
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Menstruation is a stage that accompanies women for most of their lives until the arrival of menopause. This cycle is marked by different stages that mark different degrees of fertility and entail changes that can positively or negatively affect their bodies.
This is because there is a change in hormones during the menstrual cycle that can vary greatly depending on several factors. If you want to learn about body changes during your period and how you can improve them, keep reading this article.
The beginning of the menstrual cycle is different for each body and is determined by several factors. It usually lasts between 23 and 35 days, with 28 days being the standard. The purpose of the cycle is to prepare the body for the possibility of pregnancy, and menstruation occurs when this does not happen.
There are two hormones that are responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle: follicle-stimulating hormone (or FSH) and luteinizing hormone (or LH). Both hormones are released by the pituitary gland when the hypothalamus sends a signal and regulates the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
As you know, this stage is complex, so to begin with, we will explain the changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle:
In this phase, your body prepares for ovulation. This phase begins on the first day of the cycle and lasts approximately 14 days, although it can also vary depending on the total cycle duration. At this stage, the follicles mature, and a dominant follicle is selected, which will prepare for the release of the egg. This phase co-occurs with menstruation.
When the follicular phase ends, the ovulatory phase begins. This usually occurs from day 14 in a regular cycle, but variations may occur. This stage is very short, as it only lasts between 24 and 48 hours when the egg is released for later fertilization.
It begins just after the ovulatory phase ends, and here, the egg starts to produce estrogen and progesterone. If the egg was not fertilized during the previous phase, it will disintegrate in this phase and give rise to menstruation. Its average duration is 14 days, just like the follicular phase.
It begins on the first day of bleeding, giving way to a new cycle and developing simultaneously with the follicular phase. Here, the unfertilized egg disintegrates together with the endometrial tissue. Its duration varies between 2 and 8 days.
As we’ve already explained, hormone changes during the menstrual cycle have specific effects on the body, but now it’s time to talk specifically about the bodily changes during your period. During this stage, you may experience the following changes:
Many women feel more tired during the menstrual phase and even during the luteal or follicular phase. This is due to the increase in progesterone in the body, which causes you to feel heavier, tired, and sleepy. Therefore, it is not unusual that when your period is approaching, you only want to lie in bed all day and watch movies, unlike in the ovulatory phase, when your body is filled with energy.
Do you feel like your clothes always fit tighter before and during your period? This may be due to fluid retention. This is also due to the changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle that cause abdominal distension and fluid retention so that you will feel bloated, and your clothes will be tighter in the abdominal area. This change is temporary; as the days go by and your cycle progresses, you will notice that everything has returned to its place.
Another change often occurs is an increased appetite, causing you to crave more or even eat more than usual. But don’t worry! Feeling more hungry is entirely normal, and you can help yourself cope with cramps with healthy, comforting food.
As we mentioned, you may experience cravings and water retention as part of the body changes during period, which can lead to apparent weight gain. However, the good news is that this is temporary and is due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, so even if you notice your clothes getting tighter or the scales showing a few extra pounds, after your period ends, you will begin to lose the retained fluids.
While these changes are common, there is a way to counteract their effects on your body and make your menstrual cycle more friendly. Below are some alternatives you can take to alleviate these symptoms.
Getting rest is always a great way to combat fatigue. Get at least 9 hours of sleep so your body can recover from all the hormonal changes. Try massaging your abdomen and using warm compresses to relieve premenstrual pain, which may also be causing poor sleep.
Exercise also gives you energy, so going for a walk, doing yoga, or jogging can help boost your mood. Remember that it’s normal to feel tired, so don’t try to push yourself harder than you can handle. Plus, exercising will also help you rest better at night.
A healthy diet always brings many benefits to your health, and the menstrual cycle is no exception. Eating salty foods will increase fluid retention and, therefore, abdominal distension. For that reason, we recommend consuming proteins and vegetables to reduce cravings and drinking plenty of water to combat fluid retention.
Taking nutritional supplements to boost your energy is also an option. Multivitamins will help you make up for any nutrient deficiencies in your diet, allowing your body to improve its functions, such as energy production. Additionally, if you have problems with fluid retention, you can also try a diuretic to facilitate the expulsion of toxins and reduce inflammation.
Experiencing changes in hormones during your menstrual cycle is challenging and exhausting, but you can improve these symptoms with a bit of extra help from Yes You Can! supplements. Do you want to know more? Continue exploring our blog, visit our online store, or call us at 1-888-988-5515.
