Bloating during menstruation. Why does the stomach swell and swell before, during and after menstruation During menstruation, the stomach swells than to remove

Gas formation and bloating can overtake at the most inopportune moment, especially often this problem worries women. To reduce the risk of such ailments, you need to know what are the causes of bloating and gas formation in women. And this article will help to deal with this issue.

What causes bloating and gas?

If you have frequent gastrointestinal problems or to avoid them, it is important to know what can cause bloating and gas. The main and common reasons are:

The use of dairy products;
Frequent consumption of foods containing fiber;
The use of legumes in large quantities;
The presence in the daily diet of carbonated drinks;
Chewing gum after every meal
Overeating as such.

In addition, gas or bloating can only accompany serious health problems, such as:

Appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix, requiring immediate surgical intervention;
Gastritis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, which disrupts its normal functioning;
Diverticulitis - the appearance and inflammation of growths (diverticulum) like a hernia on the walls of the intestine;
Dysbacteriosis - a violation of the intestinal microflora;
Gallstone disease - the appearance of stones in the gallbladder;
Intestinal obstruction - a violation of the movement of food in the gastrointestinal tract and various disorders of the motor function of the intestines;
Pancreatitis - inflammatory processes in the pancreas;
Problems of the genitourinary system;
Various tumors (benign and malignant);
Gastric ulcer.

Flatulence can be the result of improper eating or a sign of various diseases, in addition, the causes of bloating and gas formation in women can also be caused by circulatory problems, such as varicose veins. But often ailments in the abdomen can be associated with menstruation or pregnancy.

Bloating and increased gas production (flatulence): worries women due to malnutrition or gastrointestinal diseases

Flatulence during pregnancy and menstruation

Gas and bloating in pregnancy

During pregnancy, bloating and frequent gas formation can be considered normal if it does not cause severe discomfort and occurs later in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, as the uterus gradually increases in size, and the fetus is already starting to put pressure on the organs in the abdominal cavity.

But, if a woman's stomach is very swollen, the lower abdomen hurts and the intestines burst, there are sharp vaginal bleeding, headaches and a decrease in blood pressure, this may be a signal of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, you should not wait until "it passes by itself." Ectopic pregnancy poses a great threat to health, the possible development of infertility and even death. In this case, immediately consult a doctor and do not hesitate, as your life may be at stake.

Gas and bloating during menstruation

In childbearing age, one of the signs of PMS may be gas or bloating. Firstly, the hormone progesterone begins to be intensively produced (for the same reason, there may be flatulence during pregnancy). Secondly, fluid during PMS is poorly excreted from the body, which in turn can be one of the causes of bloating. In general, a woman's body is rebuilt during PMS, which can slow down the process of digesting food and provoke ailments in the form of flatulence.

Prevention and treatment of bloating and gas formation

To avoid unnecessary problems with the stomach, it is best to listen to simple tips that will help in the prevention of gas formation and bloating:

Eat slowly, chewing food thoroughly;
Do not talk while eating, so as not to swallow excess air;
Chew gum as little as possible;
Avoid carbonated drinks;
Try not to eat dairy products and legumes on the same day.

If the problem of flatulence occurs too often, you need to see a doctor, get tested and undergo an examination. In order to alleviate the condition and not earn a chronic form of the disease, you can take antispasmodics, prokinetics and probiotics, or use activated charcoal if bloating and gas formation are caused by indigestion. Also, Polyphepan or Entegnin will clean the stomach and intestines well. As for the tablets, No-shpu, Mezim, Smecta, Espumizan and Linex can be considered proven and reliable.

In addition, it is worth limiting yourself in some products so as not to provoke the reappearance of problems of this nature. Basically, these are products that provoke fermentation. Eliminate or limit your intake of the following foods from your diet:

Figs;
Prunes;
Cabbage, turnip, radish and radish;
Mushrooms;
Jerusalem artichoke (ground pear);
Peas and beans;
Kvass and all carbonated drinks;
Grapes, apples and pears;
Dairy products.

If you listen to all the above tips, you can easily avoid stomach problems. For serious problems and other unpleasant symptoms, do not self-medicate, but contact a qualified specialist. Only a competent approach to any problem can guarantee you good health.

As you know, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a constant companion in the life of most women. Its manifestations are unpleasant and sometimes painful. During this period, a woman may feel weakness, apathy, engorgement and soreness of the mammary glands, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back pain, digestive problems, as well as bloating and flatulence.
Let's take a closer look at the last symptom. The cause of flatulence during menstruation is a hormonal shift that occurs in the body of every woman every month. Complexes of B vitamins, potassium and magnesium can greatly ease the course of PMS and reduce the problem of increased gas formation during this difficult period.
But not only the hormonal background affects the intestines of a woman before menstruation. The use of certain foods also contributes to the formation of gases that burst the walls of the intestines, and this, in turn, gives pain.
So what products should be discarded so as not to exacerbate the problem?
First of all, these are products of plant origin, for example, legumes (peas, beans), which contain nitrogenous compounds, cabbage. These vegetables help increase gas production. Yes, and other fresh vegetables will not save you from flatulence.
Also, do not eat carbonated drinks (lemonade, etc.), because. they are not only filled with air bubbles, but also contain a large amount of sugar, which also affects the formation of gases. It follows from this that sweets (and in particular, floury sweets) should be limited, and, if possible, completely excluded from the diet during PMS.
Oddly enough, but a sugar substitute (sorbitol) should also not be used, because. it is difficult to digest and promotes gas formation. Keep this in mind when eating sugar-free foods.
Is it possible to reduce bloating during menstruation? To do this, you must follow simple rules:

In the last week of the cycle, review your diet and eliminate foods that cause flatulence.
Chew food thoroughly.
If necessary, use preparations for the discharge of gases containing simethicone. Also, time-tested remedies such as activated charcoal or folk remedies in the form of dill water, chamomile decoction have a good effect.
Go for a walk more often, because. walking and fresh air will not only ease the condition, but also positively affect the overall mood and improve mood.

Bloating is a process that causes discomfort in a woman. In the intestines, gases accumulate that interfere with leading a full-fledged lifestyle. The source is: overeating, pregnancy or approaching menstruation. Why bloating occurs and in what ways it can be overcome is a question that worries every woman who is faced with this ailment.

Bloating after eating
Discomfort during menstruation
Gas formation in pregnant women
When do you need a doctor's help?
Overview of effective drugs

This is one of the most common causes of gas formation. A person has just had a delicious lunch and is looking forward to a pleasant aftertaste, but a real hurricane begins in the stomach. It is felt how the stomach increases in size, there are unpleasant sensations. Why is the stomach bloated?

The occurrence of flatulence after eating

Experiencing bloating, a person forgets that he himself is the cause of gas formation. Lifestyle and nutrition causes these signs:

1. frequent use of gas-containing drinks;

2. often a person eats on the go or in a hurry. At this moment, he swallows a lot of excess air, which accumulates in the intestines, causing flatulence;

3. the use of drugs for heartburn, which include soda. Antibiotics also disrupt the intestinal microflora, causing dysbacteriosis;

4. the cause of flatulence can be products that provoke fermentation - milk, ice cream, nuts;

5. gas formation after eating is also caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: intestinal infections, bulbitis, gastritis or stomach ulcers;

6. flatulence is also due to overeating;

7. During stressful situations, a woman often starts to eat more. Stress itself and abundant food can provoke a spasm that will prevent the release of gases;

8. with age, the muscles of the intestines weaken, so the older the person, the more gases are formed.

Gas formation before menstruation

Of course, not every woman has bloating before menstruation. It depends on the physique, the elasticity of the muscles of the uterus, as well as physical fitness.

Causes of bloating before menstruation:

Intestinal peristalsis.

Before menstruation, the uterus and appendages are supplied with a large amount of blood. This affects the genitals and the nearby intestines. There may be a problem with digestion and, as a result, flatulence occurs.

Hormones contribute to the process of preparing for pregnancy.

Thanks to the growing layer of the endometrium, which is saturated with blood vessels, the uterus swells before menstruation and becomes soft. It affects the abdominal muscles. If a woman does not lead an active lifestyle, does not have a press, the stomach increases.

Before menstruation, the fluid is worse out of the body.

Why is this happening? During the process, a lot of blood is lost, which contains a large amount of salts and trace elements. The body replenishes them by retaining fluid that accumulates in the legs, arms, fingers, and also causing swelling of the abdomen.

There are situations when the stomach begins to swell and whine, although menstruation should not come soon. These are signs of ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary, causing a small but traumatic injury. Every woman experiences this process differently. Someone feels swelling and pain, and some do not feel it at all.

Bloating during pregnancy

Bloating in early pregnancy is a common occurrence. This is due to the fact that the body is rebuilt, adapting to a new state. Why does flatulence occur during pregnancy?

1. Early pregnancy is accompanied by the production of progesterone. It is necessary in order to relax the uterus. But in parallel, it has a relaxing effect on the digestive tract. The contractions of the stomach and intestines slow down, and the fermentation process, on the contrary, increases. Gases accumulate in the body, which causes gas formation.

2. During pregnancy, hormones are released that reduce the production of pancreatic hormones. This can cause flatulence.

3. As the fetus grows, so does the uterus. It begins to put pressure on the intestines, preventing the free passage of gases in the abdomen.

4. It is important to eat fewer foods that cause flatulence during pregnancy. Since during this period they even more acutely affect the intestines and stomach.

In what cases should you see a doctor?

Gas formation in itself is not dangerous, but if additional symptoms appear, you should go to the doctor.

If during pregnancy there is pain in the lower abdomen, you should immediately consult a doctor. These are signs of an ectopic pregnancy or threatened miscarriage.
If gas formation is accompanied by severe swelling and pain, and the symptoms only increase, it may be uterine fibroids. It is necessary to consult with a specialist.
A sharp increase in temperature, swelling of the abdomen, severe pain, vomiting, swelling of the legs before menstruation is a reason to go to the doctor. He will quickly understand the cause of the ailment.
If the disease does not go away for a long time, it can be chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is worth contacting a gastroenterologist.

A person who often suffers from flatulence dreams of finding a miracle cure that will help eliminate the disease at the first symptoms. However, it is worth remembering that only a doctor will explain how to get rid of flatulence and prescribe a drug, finding out the cause of gas formation. Do not self-medicate, so as not to aggravate the situation.

What drugs can be taken?

Note!

The presence of symptoms such as:

1. bitterness in the mouth, putrid smell;

2. frequent disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, alternating constipation with diarrhea;

3. fatigue, general lethargy;

Treatment should start now

Since helminths that live in the digestive tract or respiratory system ...

According to doctors…

1. The most common is activated carbon. It absorbs gases and toxins. But along with them, activated charcoal also removes many vitamins and nutrients. It should not be consumed for a long time, as this will negatively affect the intestinal mucosa. This will cause indigestion, particularly constipation.

2. Another inexpensive remedy is dill water. Despite the name and smell, nothing connects it with the fragrant spice. Made from the fruit of fennel. Dill water will help get rid of only mild flatulence, as it does not have a strong effect.

3. Modern pharmacology does not stand still, and today there are many drugs that quickly, and most importantly, without harm, eliminate heaviness in the stomach and bloating. They are used even by pregnant women, but after consulting a doctor. These include Smekta, she struggles with diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.

4. Enterosgel is a modern remedy that has no contraindications. It can be used by both elderly and pregnant women. It contains polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate, which is similar in structure to a sponge. It absorbs harmful substances, while not disturbing the intestinal microflora.

5. Espumizan is a more effective and safer medicine for bloating. The body gets rid of gases faster, while the drug is not absorbed into the blood, acting only in the area of the digestive system.

6. Hilak-forte will help to normalize the intestinal microflora, for example, while taking antibiotics. And since its violation leads to flatulence, the remedy will also relieve it. Only if gas formation is not caused by an enzyme deficiency.

7. There are drugs that are used for comorbidities - these are Mezim, Pancreatin, Lineks. These medicines can be used if you know the cause. Because they affect her.

8. Iberogast - a herbal preparation that functions selectively, if there is a spasm, it relieves it, the tone is reduced - it increases. Iberogast also has a choleretic and bactericidal effect. In addition, after using the product, digestion improves. Despite the existing contraindications for pregnant and lactating women, it can be used under medical supervision.

9. During flatulence, B vitamins, potassium and magnesium have a beneficial effect on the stomach. They help to eliminate symptoms such as PMS, nervousness, irritation, tearfulness.

In order to get rid of gas formation, there are two solutions: only for a while to eliminate the disease with the help of medicines or go to the doctor and, having found out the cause of its occurrence, fight it. Often a person chooses the first path. But drugs only provide temporary relief. This wastes time, which is so important in the treatment of any disease. Therefore, if flatulence has become a constant companion of your life, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

The menstrual cycle is a physiological process in a woman's body, characteristic of childbearing age. During the period of menstruation, changes in metabolic processes and functions of the reproductive system are observed, which can provoke the occurrence of various unpleasant sensations.

Before the onset of menstruation, girls may notice that their stomach is growing. This is regarded by many as the result of increased gas formation. However, bloating before menstruation does not always develop because of this. To determine the causes of such a state, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of the ongoing processes and identify the most likely factors for its development. Only after clarifying these points can we talk about the need for therapeutic correction.

Causes

If a woman feels that her stomach is swelling on the eve of menstruation, in many cases there is no reason for concern - these are manifestations of physiological changes in preparation for the first phase of the menstrual cycle. But in certain cases, such a symptom may be hidden behind another pathology, which sometimes requires a prompt response from a woman. Summarizing the possible factors for an increase in the abdomen, we can distinguish the most common of them:

Hormonal changes.
Premenstrual syndrome.
Ovulation.
Pregnancy.
Intestinal diseases.
Gynecological pathology.
Tumors.

When a woman's belly swells before menstruation, this should be taken with due attention, since these complaints are the result of not only physiological, but also pathological changes.

If the symptoms that arise have a pronounced intensity, in order to find out their cause, there is no time to waste - you should immediately consult a doctor.

Symptoms

Bloating before menstruation is not the only symptom that a woman feels during this period. She may be disturbed by other manifestations, the consideration of which will help in making the correct diagnosis. Only by understanding the features of the clinical picture of possible conditions, we can confidently say why the stomach swells before menstruation. This is usually accompanied by:

Feeling of bursting.
Rumbling in the stomach.
Enhanced gas production.
Enlargement of the abdomen.

If such symptoms are associated with normal processes in the body of a woman during the menstrual cycle, then after the onset of menstruation, these manifestations disappear. When they persist and do not depend on physiological changes, then it is worth thinking about a different origin of these complaints.

If there is any doubt about the nature of the sensations, you should consult a doctor.

Hormonal changes

Before menstruation, there is a change in various metabolic processes. There is a production of progesterone - a hormone that is responsible for preparing the body for a future pregnancy, since this is the main role of the reproductive period. Under its influence, the muscles of the uterus relax, its mucous membrane swells and prepares to receive a fertilized egg. At the same time, the stomach slightly increases in volume.

In addition, progesterone contributes to fluid retention in the body - therefore, a slight swelling of the lower extremities may appear. At the same time, similar changes are also observed in the pelvic organs, which also provokes sensations of fullness in the abdomen.

Hormonal changes are normal during the menstrual cycle. If there are no other complaints, and the symptoms disappear after menstruation, do not worry.

Premenstrual syndrome

The physiological period of preparation for menstruation should not cause severe discomfort. However, some people develop the so-called premenstrual syndrome, which is characterized by various disorders: vascular, autonomic, emotional and endocrine. This leads to a violation of the woman's usual life and gives her a lot of trouble.

The clinical picture of premenstrual syndrome is characterized by a variety of complaints. In addition to bloating, there are:

Pain in the region of the heart and abdomen.
Nausea and vomiting.
Dizziness and headache.
Dyspnea.
Rise or fall in blood pressure.
Thickening of the mammary glands.
Irritability, mood swings, depression.

This is not a normal course of the menstrual cycle, and therefore requires proper correction.

Pregnancy

Pregnant woman lying in bed sleeping

If a woman notices that before the expected menstruation, the belly increases, and there is still no discharge, this may indicate a pregnancy. In addition, when heaviness or other unpleasant symptoms are felt at the same time, such a picture often indicates an increase in the tone of the uterus. In turn, this can provoke spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.

Sudden bloating is often due to an ectopic pregnancy that ended due to a ruptured tube. In this case, severe pain and spotting are characteristic, and further development is dangerous with peritonitis.

If the stomach swells after a confirmed pregnancy, it is necessary to take such a symptom seriously and consult a doctor in time.

Bowel disease

Sometimes it happens that there is no clear connection between menstruation and abdominal discomfort. Then it can be assumed that the accumulated gases indicate intestinal pathology. In this case, flatulence will be accompanied by other symptoms:

Pain in the abdomen.
Loosening of the stool.
Sometimes nausea.
In certain cases, an increase in body temperature.

When the stomach twists, you need to think about the possibility of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Treatment

It is necessary to treat bloating before menstruation, taking into account all the identified factors, in order to have the maximum impact on the cause of this condition. Therefore, a therapeutic program can be formed only after a comprehensive examination of the woman. The most commonly recommended methods for correcting identified violations are:

Diet.
Medical treatment.
Psychotherapy.

In some cases, surgery is indicated - for example, with tubal pregnancy or tumors. But, as a rule, they use conservative methods.

All medicinal products are used only with the permission of the doctor and under his control.

Diet

To reduce bloating, first of all, you need to pay attention to your diet. This is the first thing to do to eliminate discomfort, and only then take medication.

Before menstruation, you should limit the consumption of fatty foods, carbohydrates, raw vegetables and fruits, legumes. To reduce edematous syndrome, it is recommended not to drink a lot of fluids, and also not to eat salty.

Medical treatment

Taking medication is justified in pathological conditions that are accompanied by a feeling of bloating in the abdomen. Any drugs are taken only on prescription and in accordance with his recommendations.

With the physiological course of the menstrual cycle, you can take drugs to reduce gas formation (espumizan), antispasmodics (no-shpa, meteospasmil). Herbal teas and infusions (fennel, chamomile, angelica) are recommended as herbal medicine. Premenstrual syndrome requires the appointment of such drugs:

Sedatives and tranquilizers.
Antiallergic.
Diuretic.
Improving microcirculation.
Hormones.

Psychotherapy

In many cases, with discomfort in the abdomen, psychological correction has an additional therapeutic effect. By rethinking various situations and changing attitudes towards problems, a positive dominant is formed in the mind. This allows you to effectively withstand stress, changes in life, and also helps you calmly go through the period of menstruation.

When a woman notices bloating before menstruation, in most cases there is no cause for concern, as this is the result of physiological changes. But if after menstruation such phenomena do not disappear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Only one out of every five women does not notice bloating before their period as an uncomfortable symptom of PMS. Needless to say, a swollen waist pretty spoils the mood. Especially against the background of increased irritability associated with the same premenstrual syndrome. Some ladies hide the inflated “ball” under a corset or shapewear. But it’s better to figure it out and change your lifestyle so that in any phase of the cycle, a swollen stomach and swelling do not cause inconvenience.

In general, bloating is associated with excessive production of intestinal gases with poor digestion. The process is often caused by the abuse of fatty and heavy foods, which are worse processed by the gastrointestinal tract. But in women, there may be other reasons why the stomach swells up, especially if it happens a few days before menstruation. The symptom is caused by natural changes in the hormonal background. In different phases of the cycle, the ratio of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin changes. Each of the substances plays a role in ensuring female reproductive function.

These same hormonal substances cause the cells of the body to accumulate and store fluid before bleeding. This explains why edema appears and the abdomen swells before and during menstruation. In parallel, the physiological process of preparation for conception takes place. The uterus increases, the volume of the abdominal press also grows. Blood rushes to the pelvic area intensely. All this passes after the end of menstruation due to the reverse mechanism against the background of a pregnancy that has not occurred.

How many days before menstruation does the stomach increase

It is impossible to say unequivocally how many days bloating occurs before menstruation. Each organism is individual, in some girls the problem of bloating and edema appears in 1.5-2 weeks.

However, in most cases, the change is noticeable 3 days before the discharge. During this period, you can see a small increase in body weight.

Those who pay attention to: suffer less from premenstrual syndrome:

sports, abdominal training;
strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, which weaken with age and after childbirth;
proper nutrition and prevention of excess weight.

Yes, overweight and giving birth women fix an increase in the abdomen, but such a reaction of the body is considered natural and normally disappears on the 2-3rd day of menstruation or after them.

Causes of bloating before menstruation

To combat the unpleasant symptoms of PMS, it is necessary to accurately establish the mechanism of their occurrence. Can bloating before menstruation be associated with pathologies? Yes, and you should definitely double-check this option. But there are other factors as well.

Hormonal causes

A large belly on the eve of menstruation is associated with an increased concentration of progesterone, it is this hormone that is responsible for preparing the genitals for conception. After ovulation, in the so-called luteal phase, the endometrium (the lining inside the uterus) grows. It serves to nourish the embryo with all the necessary substances. The uterus swells and compresses neighboring organs. When the body realizes that conception has not occurred, the endometrium exfoliates and comes out with blood during menstruation. The size of the abdomen returns to normal.

Intestinal peristalsis

A heavy uterus presses on the intestines. Progesterone itself has an additional effect. It reduces the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, gastric emptying takes longer, food moves more slowly. Under the influence of the hormone, unpleasant intestinal symptoms before menstruation become more pronounced, pain in the abdomen, rumbling, lack of appetite, constipation or diarrhea may appear.

Pregnancy

When pregnancy is not excluded and there is a delay, that is, the period of menstruation has passed, but they are all gone, the first thing to do is to take a test. On a special indicator, after contact with urine, two strips appear if a specific hormone is detected - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

But it is worth remembering that the result may be distorted in pathological processes, for example, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy. For complete certainty, it is better to contact a women's consultation. An effective diagnostic method is ultrasound of the pelvic organ.

Pathological processes

A growing belly can hide gynecological diseases - fibrosis, endometriosis, tumors of the uterus and ovaries. In such cases, in addition to bloating before menstruation and swelling, there are often:

failures in the regularity of the cycle;
frequent urge to urinate;
constant feeling of indigestion.

If the stomach is swollen and hurts, while the body temperature is elevated, the bloody discharge is abundant or of an unusual color, additional symptoms appear and the state of health worsens, you should consult a gynecologist.

It happens that ailments similar to PMS are present, but menstruation does not begin. Checking with a doctor will help eliminate inflammation and neoplasms in the genitals.

Binge eating

Due to hormonal changes, many women feel hungry towards the end of their cycle. They are constantly drawn to eat, the situation is aggravated by the state of stress. But trying to cheer yourself up with hearty and tasty food is not an option. As mentioned above, before menstruation and associated flatulence, food moves through the gastrointestinal tract more slowly, for this reason, often after bloating, heaviness appears in the stomach, which is very inopportune on the eve of menstruation. It is advisable to ensure that the dishes are simple and do not burden the body.

Bloating during and immediately after periods

There is such a strong flatulence during and at the end of menstruation that the intestines do not return to normal in any way, and the stomach does not decrease. If necessary, use drugs that promote the removal of gases (Activated carbon, Meteospasmil, Espumizan). You can try folk remedies against bloating before menstruation - a decoction of chamomile, dill water.

It is important not to miss any pathology. A doctor's consultation is necessary if, after the end of menstruation, the stomach is still bloated. Going to the hospital should not be postponed with the following symptoms:

increased body temperature;
unusual discharge;
stomach ache.

The cause of an enlarged waist after menstruation can also be pregnancy. This situation is likely if the discharge was more scarce than in previous cycles. You should check with a gynecologist in the case when the bleeding has ended, and the pulling pain in the abdomen and lower back persists.

Bloating before and during ovulation

Discomfort in the abdomen can appear not only during menstruation, but also on the 10-14th day of the cycle - before and during ovulation. It is not associated with pathology. The process of rupture of the follicle occurs in all women who are able to conceive and give birth to a child. But not every one of them feels the symptoms of ovulation. Tingling in the back, pulling pain in the lower abdomen - women who have given birth feel especially acute in the middle of the cycle.

To make sure that the malaise is associated with ovulation, you can buy a special test at the pharmacy. It is noteworthy that in this situation it is easier to get an answer than to guess why the stomach is inflated before and during menstruation.

Gas formation as a sign of pregnancy

The cause of increased gas formation and bloating on the eve of menstruation may be the onset of pregnancy. The risk of flatulence is especially high if there is a predisposition and chronic diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Other digestive disorders may also be present - nausea, lack of appetite, changes in taste sensations, bitterness in the mouth. You should be wary and consult a gynecologist if your period has not started in the prescribed period, and symptoms are observed:

the chest is swollen;
increased irritability;
swelling of the arms and legs appeared;
the abdomen has increased in volume.

How to relieve bloating

A pre-adjusted diet is extremely important. Portions of food should not be excessive. It is recommended even before menstruation to exclude foods that provoke increased gas formation in the stomach - cabbage, legumes, fresh bread, nuts, mushrooms, raw vegetables and fruits in excess. When digestion worsens, enzymes can be connected for a short time (Mezim, Festal).

But what to do if the abdominal cavity during menstruation is still inflated, there is a strong discomfort and a feeling of fullness? Carminative drugs (Espumizan, Kolikid, Pepfiz) are used as a therapeutic measure. They destroy gas bubbles, and they are absorbed by the intestinal walls.

If rumbling in the abdomen is accompanied all the time, and not only during menstruation, perhaps the reason is a violation of the microflora. A course of probiotics (Linex, Hilak) will be useful.

Avoid salty foods

Excess salt causes the scales to show increased body weight.

It just so happens that 1 sodium molecule binds 20 water molecules. The more it enters the body, the greater the swelling and the higher the volume of retained fluid in the abdomen.

So that before and during menstruation the stomach does not grow and swell, in the second half of the cycle it is necessary to limit the consumption of salty foods (canned meats, sausages, marinades, smoked meats, fast food, sauces and seasonings). The reason is not only the risk of edema, but also the associated stress on blood vessels and the heart.

Eat foods rich in potassium

Why is potassium needed? It removes salt and, accordingly, prevents the appearance of edema. Foods that contain potassium include:

pumpkin;
boiled and baked potatoes;
rice porrige;
bananas;
apples.

In addition to potassium, magnesium and B vitamins are needed. It is advisable to start taking a special vitamin complex 1-2 weeks before menstruation so that the body accumulates strength to deal with stress and nervous tension.

Try Diuretics

In some cases, a few days before menstruation, diuretics are used - diuretic drugs. They help reduce swelling, which is the accumulation of fluid in the cells. But the independent and uncontrolled intake of such drugs is fraught with a violation of the balance of potassium and sodium, excessive loss of salts.

There are natural remedies with a mild diuretic effect that will not bring such harm: zucchini, parsley, green tea, carrot and beetroot juices.

Drink plenty of water

It is important that the body receives a sufficient amount of fluid. Coffee, strong tea and soda are not suitable, as they increase flatulence.

The preferred drink is water, especially a couple of days before and after your period starts. With its regular use, harmful substances are removed faster, digestion is normalized, constipation disappears, and the general condition of the body improves.

With tolerance, you can take a decoction of chamomile, cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks. They relax the abdominal muscles and have a mild diuretic effect.

Avoid Refined Carbs

Sweet also causes salt retention and increases the risk of edema on the eve of menstruation. This is because refined carbohydrates bind water. Not as strong as sodium, but still. 1 g of carbohydrates can retain up to 4 g of water.

Simple sugars are poorly satiated, while contributing to the decay of food masses. Therefore, with a tendency to flatulence, the menu limits:

confectionery;
bakery products;
sweet sodas;
purchased juices;
products containing sugar and white flour.

Be active

Physical activity is essential in everyday life. Walking long distances is very helpful. It has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and improves the process of removing gases.

You can choose another sport - swimming, exercise equipment, dancing, aerobics, running. Avoid heavy loads only during menstrual days and when you feel unwell. But after the end of menstruation, they again return to an active lifestyle.

Conclusion

Bloating before menstruation as a sign of PMS occurs in most women. The phenomenon is associated with changes in the hormonal background in the corresponding phase of the menstrual cycle. Normally, a small increase in the waist is noticeable a few days before the onset of menstruation. If the problem persists longer, you should not take medicines uncontrollably, especially when pain occurs. The right option is to see a doctor for a comprehensive examination.

In order for a woman to become pregnant and bear a child, constant changes in the hormonal background occur in the body, which affect the physiology. An increase in the stomach before menstruation can also be due to nutrition, a likely pregnancy, or the presence of diseases that require a visit to a doctor.

Each of these conditions can be identified based on symptoms. In most cases, bloating is a natural physiological process that normalizes by the end of menstruation.

Hormones

Starting with the appearance of menstruation, girls begin to experience pain in the lower abdomen and use them to determine the time of their onset. Here it is important to know why the lower abdomen hurts during menstruation and whether to worry about this.

This may have physiological roots, but may be associated with any disease. To begin with, we will figure out why menstruation is painful, heavy.

Most people are familiar with such a manifestation as bloating, which occurs against the background of heaviness, increased gas formation, and pain. As the cause of this condition, improper, irrational nutrition, errors in diet and stressful situations are usually distinguished.

In some cases, a gentle diet is enough to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Medications may also be required.

Bloating during menstruation is a condition of the body at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, in which a woman feels heaviness in the stomach and swelling. Bloating is one of several symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which in women begins one to two weeks before the onset of menstruation. In addition to bloating, PMS symptoms include:

mood swings;
fatigue;
menstrual cramps;
acne
increased appetite;
swollen chest;
headaches;
lower back pain.

Bloating during menstruation can be the result of changes in the levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. About a week before your period starts, progesterone levels drop. Decreased levels of this hormone cause the uterus to shed its inner lining (endometrium), which causes menstrual bleeding.

In addition to the fact that changes in progesterone and estrogen levels cause menstrual bleeding, this process also causes more water and salt to accumulate in the body. This was indicated by a study, the results of which were published in 2010 by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

With a lot of water, the cells of the body become swollen and cause feelings of bloating. A study published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2011 found that women store the most water on the first day of their period. On the same day, women usually experience the most acute bloating.

Bloating before your period is one of the typical uncomfortable signs of PMS, along with mood swings, occasional pain, and cramps. The problem lies in changes in the hormonal background, so bloating is an absolutely normal process.

The most common cause of bloating before menstruation is hormonal changes. The menstrual cycle is a continuous series of hormonal changes.

The essence of the reproductive period is to allocate a sufficient amount of progesterone - the sex hormone responsible for preparing the female body for pregnancy. Progesterone acts on the smooth uterine muscles, it swells and slightly increases in size, preparing to receive the egg.

So, the stomach can slightly increase in volume. The more developed the abdominal muscles are in a woman, the less likely it is that bloating will be noticeable.

In addition, under the influence of the hormone progesterone, water is retained in the body, which is why the limbs swell, as well as the pelvic area (this can also cause a feeling of bloating).

An equally common cause of bloating and increased gas formation is uncontrolled appetite, characteristic of premenstrual syndrome. Eating huge amounts of salty, smoked, and especially sweet foods, the stomach can swell strongly, accompanying this process with gases.

Possible reasons also include:

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
if there is bloating and a delay in menstruation, it is possible that pregnancy was the cause of bloating;
pathological processes and tumors of the organs of the female reproductive system.

Bloating during menstruation and before them may be accompanied by a feeling of bursting of the peritoneum, rumbling and flatulence.

All of the above symptoms are not evidence of pathology, as soon as menstruation begins, they will stop.

With incessant swelling that does not depend on physiological changes, a woman should consult a doctor to find out the true reason why the swelling did not go away naturally and start treatment in a timely manner.

The menstrual cycle: the restructuring of the body

The menstrual cycle is accompanied by a restructuring of the body, which is due to changes in the hormonal background. In the first phase, estrogen dominates, and in the second, progesterone. The multidirectional action of hormones directly affects subjective sensations, clinical symptoms, and taste preferences.

The menstrual cycle in women has a different duration. The norm is 28 days, but depending on the individual characteristics between menstruation, there may be an interval of 21 to 40 days.

Causes

To deal with unpleasant phenomena in PMS, it is necessary to know the causes of their occurrence. They fall into a number of categories.

Hormonal causes

The menstrual cycle of women is a complex process, accompanied by monthly hormonal changes in the body during the childbearing period. Changes are associated with the level of three hormones: prolactin, progesterone, estrogen.

The level of estrogen increases by the time of ovulation, gradually decreasing, with progesterone, on the contrary: the maximum amount occurs at the beginning of bleeding. Premenstrual syndrome causes a decrease in estrogen levels while increasing progesterone.

By itself, flatulence is not a disease, but is a symptom of a possible pathology of the abdomen. As in the case of bloating before menstruation.

There are a number of explainable reasons for this phenomenon. After the end of the critical days and the condition of the abdomen returns to normal functioning.

Bloating is not present in all women. It depends on the personality of the person. This property of a woman's body affects both premenstrual and menstrual symptoms.

If you are concerned about bloating during or before your period, you need to determine what factors contribute to this condition and how to properly deal with the malaise. Read more about why the stomach swells before menstruation.

Ovulation

Often swelling of the abdomen and bloating is observed not during menstruation, but in the middle of the menstrual cycle. It is related to ovulation.

The standard menstrual cycle lasts 28-30 days. Ovulation occurs on days 14-16, respectively.

Bloating can occur against a background of mild pain. This picture indicates that ovulation has taken place, and the egg has broken the follicle and is ready for fertilization.

Hormonal changes

The menstrual cycle of women is a complex process, accompanied by various manifestations, provoked by hormonal changes and other factors. Sudden swelling is considered one of them. This sign also accompanies the period of ovulation. Bloating related to menstruation is not considered a pathological condition.

During PMS, there is a sharp increase in progesterone in the blood - a hormone that is necessary for successful conception and fertilization. Its functioning is aimed at providing comfortable conditions in the uterus for a potential fetus.

Progesterone helps to relax the uterus, and when the endometrium, its inner layer, increases, bloating is observed, which provokes discomfort. If the fertilization of the egg and its introduction into the uterus does not occur, then the amount of progesterone is noticeably reduced, so the swollen abdomen disappears.

There are other reasons for this malaise during PMS, which you should be aware of in order to avoid the development of complications.

The main causes of bloating in women before the onset of the next menstruation:

pregnancy;
ovulation;
puffiness;
weak intestinal peristalsis;
formation of uterine fibroids.

In most cases, bloating with PMS is not a pathology and is one of the symptoms that appear before menstruation.

It happens that the abdominal area can swell both before and during ovulation. In many ways, bloating during menstruation depends on the characteristics of the body of a particular woman.

Bloating during menstruation is a normal phenomenon that will pass by itself with its end. The appearance of such a symptom during PMS can be influenced by external and internal factors.

External reasons:

Body constitution.
Weakened muscles in the abdomen. When a woman is prone to fullness and her abdominal muscles are poorly developed, bloating will be clearly observed visually. Nothing will prevent this.
Elasticity of muscle tissue in the uterus. Before menstruation, the uterus may increase in size, which will lead to the growth of the abdomen.

The change in the volume of the abdomen is due to several factors:

body constitution;
The development of the muscular corset in the abdominal region;
Elasticity of the muscles of the uterus.

A huge number of women in these few days, when menstruation passes, suffer from pain, feel bad. Where does pain come from?

This is an inflammatory reaction, the release of special substances of an inflammatory nature, which provoke painful sensations in the lower abdomen above the pubis.

Physiological changes in the female body always lead to swelling of the abdomen before menstruation. Let's talk about the most common causes of this phenomenon.

Hormonal changes

Bloating during menstruation is associated with hormonal changes. Throughout the monthly cycle, a woman repeatedly encounters hormonal changes that provoke bodily edema and swelling of the stomach.

Hormones such as progesterone and estrogen are actively involved in preparing the body for pregnancy. An increase in the abdomen may be associated with blood flow to the pelvic organs during the period of ovulation. When the endometrium is enriched with oxygen, the uterus softens, after which it swells. The muscles of the stomach react accordingly.

In addition to hormonal, there may be other reasons for bloating before menstruation.

Abdominal enlargement may be associated with uterine fibroids. All women, without exception, need to undergo an annual examination by a gynecologist, because timely diagnosis of fibroids and other diseases of the female sphere is a necessary condition for successful treatment.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if, during an increase in the abdomen before menstruation, the pain becomes stronger, vomiting begins or the temperature rises - such symptoms are not associated with menstruation, but with diseases of the internal organs. This condition requires qualified medical attention.

The causes of bloating before menstruation are quite extensive. For ease of classification, they are usually divided into the following types:

Physiological. At the same time, the feeling of bloating is a normal condition, which is due to the action of hormones. In the vast majority of cases, this symptom disappears after the onset of menstruation. Medical intervention, as a rule, does not require.
Pathological, indicating the development of a serious disease. Bloating may be accompanied by severe pain, cramps. It is necessary to contact a medical institution as soon as possible, where a comprehensive examination will be carried out.

Normally, swelling of the abdominal walls should not bring significant discomfort. But if such a condition is accompanied by sharp pain, loud rumbling and other similar symptoms, this may indicate the development of a pathological process.

Children's stomach hurts

Another object of increased influence is abdominal pain in a child.

Very often, the cause of pain is banal poisoning due to nutrition, in which case it will help:

Activated carbon;
Smecta;
Mezim;
Linex;
Bifidin.

But if the symptoms do not go away, it is worth considering that this may not be poisoning.

Depending on the location of the pain, the disease can be determined, but this should be done by a doctor.

If symptoms persist, call an ambulance immediately!

Bloating during menstruation: we solve the problem | The art of being a woman

Critical days are a rather difficult period in the life of any woman in terms of psychology and physiology. After all, this is a process of complex interaction of reproductive hormones in a woman's body, when their level changes at different periods of the cycle.

Some women do not notice drastic changes in their body during the entire cycle, with the exception of blood discharge. Others, on the contrary, during menstruation experience painful symptoms associated with changes in hormone levels, which can manifest themselves in headaches, irritability, fatigue, swelling of the mammary glands, swelling, pain in the lower abdomen, up to a decrease in physical activity.

In addition, many women feel bloated before and during their period. And this process is quite natural, but it creates negative feelings and greatly complicates the life of a woman during critical days.

Get rid of gases faster

Excruciating discomfort from bloating can be due to the use of certain foods, as a result of which the soreness of the condition only intensifies. Therefore, if you are often worried about bloating during menstruation, then you should think about your diet in advance during the last week of the cycle and use the simple advice of world gastroenterologists.

Purchase a gas evacuator. To quickly get rid of bloating, it is better to buy some drug containing simethicone in a pharmacy, or, as an alternative, dill water, chamomile tea, activated charcoal. All these remedies quickly relieve gases.

What if pregnancy

This reason is very real. Sometimes, the onset of pregnancy can be confused with PMS. During this period, the female body produces a hormone - progesterone.

Be especially careful about abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Most often they are caused by the position of the fetus or malnutrition of the expectant mother, but in any case, a visit to the doctor is required:

No-shpa and Papaverine will help relieve pain;
With symptoms of poisoning, you can also take activated charcoal or Smecta;
With heartburn and vomiting - Maalox, Fasfalugel and Motilium.

In the case when the egg is successfully fertilized by the sperm, it begins its movement into the uterine cavity. The corpus luteum produces a special pregnancy hormone, which is necessary for the unhindered attachment of the embryo in the uterine cavity. Hormone instability can cause an increase in waist size and digestive problems.

Gas and bloating in pregnancy

Symptoms

Changes in a woman's body before critical days can be accompanied not only by an increase in the abdomen.

Feeling of bursting.
Rumbling in the stomach.
Enhanced gas production.
Enlargement of the abdomen.

Before menstruation, there is a change in various metabolic processes. There is a production of progesterone - a hormone that is responsible for preparing the body for a future pregnancy, since this is the main role of the reproductive period.

Under its influence, the muscles of the uterus relax, its mucous membrane swells and prepares to receive a fertilized egg. At the same time, the stomach slightly increases in volume.

Premenstrual syndrome

Bloating during menstruation can be aggravated by additional symptoms such as:

mood swings and a tendency to apathy or aggression;
lack of appetite or an uncontrollable desire to constantly eat;
change in taste preferences and desire to eat gourmet foods or fast food;
discomfort in the lower abdomen, cramps and pulling pains;
stool disorder;
decreased motor activity;
soreness and swelling of the chest;
swelling of the limbs and an increase in the waist by 2-3 cm;
pronounced headaches and decreased performance;
dizziness and lack of appetite;
spastic pains in the lower abdomen, pulling and aching - in the coccyx, back and hips;
flushes to the face, a feeling of heat and fever;
the appearance of unpleasant rashes on the face and body;
increased drowsiness and desire to be in an upright position for most of the day;
problems with memory and concentration.

Of course, if you're concerned about how to quickly get rid of your PMS symptoms (and you're not morally bound to using only natural methods), then you can always go to the pharmacist at your local pharmacy, which sells many drugs to relieve PMS symptoms.

For example, you may be offered Pamprin or Midol S - these drugs are a mild diuretic, as well as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article about bloating during your period is for informational purposes only. It cannot be a substitute for consulting a professional doctor.

In the presence of severe bloating, you should review your diet, as well as take medications that reduce flatulence. One of these is Espumizan. It gently acts on gas bubbles, gluing them together and bringing them out. The woman should be allowed to rest, as well as provide plenty of fluids.

You don't have to give up food completely. During the period of blood loss, you should eat small portions, but often. The diet includes red meat, some wine and plenty of protein, as well as black bitter chocolate.

4. Analyze what you drink before your period

Believe it or not, your worst enemy when it comes to bloating may be what you drink.

Generally speaking, tea and coffee are considered diuretics. However, they do contain caffeine, which can actually lead to bloating. Don't get me wrong, some teas do cause bloating, especially black tea, which has more caffeine than green tea.

Coffee has an additional downside when it comes to pre-period bloating. Coffee is considered an acidic drink. Not only does coffee erase tooth enamel, it can cause gastritis. This inflammation can, and usually does, cause uncomfortable bloating. If you're prone to stomach problems, try cutting out coffee at least during your period.

Alcohol can cause gas, so drinking alcohol before or during your period can cause bloating. Many people are allergic to one or more of the ingredients in an alcoholic beverage.

When your body becomes intolerant of something, the normal and harmless bacteria that naturally live in the body will interact with that allergen. This interaction leads to swelling of the lower abdomen with gas formation.

One way to stop bloating during your period is to completely avoid alcohol during this period.

Treatment

Diet.
Medical treatment.
Psychotherapy.

In some cases, surgery is indicated - for example, with tubal pregnancy or tumors. But, as a rule, they use conservative methods.

To reduce bloating, first of all, you need to pay attention to your diet. This is the first thing to do to eliminate discomfort, and only then take medication.

Medical treatment

To avoid unnecessary problems with the stomach, it is best to listen to simple tips that will help in the prevention of gas formation and bloating:

Eat slowly, chewing food thoroughly;
Do not talk while eating, so as not to swallow excess air;
Chew gum as little as possible;
Avoid carbonated drinks;
Try not to eat dairy products and legumes on the same day.

Preventing or getting rid of bloating during menstruation will help not only dietary adjustments, but also drug therapy, as well as the use of traditional medicine. Moderate physical activity and outdoor walks are recommended.

It is worth remembering that if signs of serious pathological conditions are added to swelling, you need to seek qualified help and pass all the necessary tests to clarify the cause of this condition. Below are the main treatment options used for bloating.

Medicines that help fight increased gas formation should be prescribed by the attending physician based on the characteristics of the woman's body and associated symptoms. It is worth remembering that the use of medications should be prescribed after the exclusion of the fact of pregnancy, since many drugs are prohibited during the period of bearing a baby.

How to get rid of the disease

In cases where this condition is not a sign of a health disorder, but brings a lot of inconvenience, a woman is advised to change some lifestyle habits or use the methods of traditional medicine and psychotherapy.

Medicines

Menstruation can flow more comfortably. Prostaglandin blockers - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will help to do this.

These include over-the-counter drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen, voltaren, nurofen, paracetamol.

They relieve inflammation, and most importantly - block prostaglandins, resulting in reduced spasm, reduced pain.

In addition, they disrupt the function of platelets, which form a clot and stop bleeding.

Women who have a tendency to bleeding, for example, hereditary, or they take drugs that thin the blood, with poor blood clotting, drugs in this group are contraindicated.

In those who have hypertension, drugs in this group will constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Also, the ban on these drugs is associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers.

In really serious cases, with severe pain, the gynecologist prescribes prescription drugs.

In addition to drugs, you can take herbal teas and infusions. They can be purchased at any pharmacy.

When choosing a herbal collection, you need to look for herbs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.

You can eliminate the problem of flatulence by following simple rules.

Medical treatment

If a woman has bloating and a delay in menstruation, alarming symptoms should not be ignored. Often this situation indicates an unplanned pregnancy, but it can also be a more acute problem. For example, disorders in the genitourinary system often cause delays.

If the lady is only concerned about increased gas formation, one should turn to non-drug methods of treatment. Which of them are considered the most effective?

Compliance with a special diet, exclusion from the diet of spicy, too sweet foods, carbonated drinks.
Also, experts advise to monitor how food is consumed. Do not eat on the go, drink carbonated drinks with food, consume large portions.
In the second half of the cycle, you need to increase physical activity, as this will positively affect your overall health.
Also, with swelling, you can drink mint tea, which significantly reduces the amount of gases formed.

Of course, the whole secret of getting rid of bloating during menstruation is to eat wisely and without harm to your body. Sugar is banned, because of it, sodium is retained in the body. It is worth removing dairy products that cause increased gas formation, legumes. Fractional meals are encouraged 4-5 times a day, but you should completely forget about the habit of overeating.

Do not forget about the elementary rules of eating: chewing thoroughly, eating food not on the go, but in a relaxed atmosphere. When the menstrual cycle comes to an end, this is especially important, because due to the rampage of hormones in the body, serious changes occur. By her desire to eat everything, and even in large quantities, a woman noticeably complicates the work of her entire body.

If, with proper nutrition and the use of folk methods, the alarming symptoms still do not go away, it is necessary to turn to medical methods of getting rid of them. Here you can not do without consulting a specialist.

What to do if every month the stomach continues to swell, despite the best efforts of the woman? In such situations, you will have to go to a consultation with a specialist. The doctor will tell you exactly what is happening in the body and how hormonal changes affect a woman.

Most often, with bloating during menstruation, doctors prescribe the following types of drugs:

diuretics to remove excess fluid and part of the gases from the body;
vitamins of groups B, E and C;
painkillers, because spasms due to bloating cause too much pain in women;
soothing drugs that gradually normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the degree of development of anxiety symptoms.

It is not recommended to take specific drugs on your own, without the advice of a doctor. The fact is that the problem can be much more serious and consist in the development of chronic diseases. That is why specialists always conduct a thorough examination and only after that prescribe drugs.

If a woman normalizes her own nutrition system, begins to monitor the amount of physical activity and take special medications, her well-being will noticeably improve, and flatulence, disturbing during menstruation, will remain in the past. If, after all the measures taken, the problem remains relevant, it is worth sounding the alarm and undergoing a more detailed examination.

Medicines for swelling

Black tea. Plain black tea can help manage bloated tummy syndrome. All thanks to the tannins that it contains.
Chamomile infusion. To prepare a decoction, you need 1 tablespoon of flowers per cup of boiling water. The resulting broth is allowed to brew and take at least 2 tablespoons before meals.
Garlic powder. A remedy is prepared from dried and chopped cloves of garlic. It is taken twice a day after meals. Store in a tightly closed glass container.
Charcoal. If the stomach is swollen, then it is better to use charcoal from linden or black poplar. In addition to flatulence, it is excellent for nausea. Take 2-4 teaspoons per day. This remedy is easy to prepare at home. It is enough to wrap the branches in foil and put in the oven for one hour. To check the readiness, just click on the coal. Ready charcoal crumbles when pressed.
Dill water. Well known for its properties. To prepare a decoction, you need to insist 2 teaspoons of dill seeds in a glass of boiling water. The resulting tincture is taken in a third of a glass three times a day before meals.
Dandelion root. A decoction is prepared by infusing half a tablespoon of herbs in cold boiled water for 7–8 hours. Take the infusion should be a quarter cup before each meal.
Wormwood. This decoction should be taken 3 tablespoons half an hour before meals. Prepare an infusion in the proportion of a tablespoon of herbs and a glass of boiling water. You can add a teaspoon of honey.

There are a lot of reasons why the stomach swells before menstruation, as well as ways to eliminate these unpleasant manifestations. But having carefully studied all the information, it is not so difficult for a healthy woman to deal with them.

For each type of pain and diagnosis, a specific set of drugs is selected to treat and relieve pain.

To choose a medication, a doctor's consultation is required, since the choice of painkillers is huge:

Analgesics. A group of drugs that only mask pain. Pills - analgesics will help relieve pain, but will not cure its cause. These include:
- Analgin;
- Paracetamol;
- Solpadein.
NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the modern world, they are gaining more and more popularity, but they adversely affect the work of the digestive tract. They can be used only for a short time, no more than 4-5 days and require mandatory consultation with a specialist. The group of drugs includes:
- Ibuprofen (Nurofen);
- Naproxen;
- Diclofenac;
- Piroxicam.
Antispasmodics. Tablets of this group are most often used in conjunction with NSAIDs, but can also be used independently. They allow you to relieve spasm of smooth muscles and stop pain, but are not part of the treatment. It is strongly not recommended to take the drug for more than two days, as well as for people who have problems with the heart, kidneys and liver. These include:
- No-shpa;
- Drotaverine hydrochloride;
- Spazmolgon.
Antacids. The drug of the anticholinergic group is able to eliminate pain, relieve heartburn and belching. Tablets reduce acidity in the stomach, often used for gastritis. Medicines in this group include:
- Rennie;
- Vikain (Vikair);
- Phosphalugel;
- Gaviscon;
- Maalox;
- Amalgel;
- gastracid.
Anticholinergics. A division of drugs that affect the autonomic system, which controls the digestive system. They relieve pain quickly, but for a short period. Can be bought under the following names:
- Cyclodol;
- Tropacin;
- Ridinol;
- Mebedrol.
Digestive enzymes. Enzymes are used to facilitate the process of digestion, especially with overeating and increased stress on the gastrointestinal tract. This group includes:
- Mezim;
- Pancreatin;
- Creon;
- Festal;
- Digestal;
- Oraza.

Separately, it is worth noting the pain in girls during menstruation.

Such pain is most often based on uterine spasm, therefore, antispasmodics or analgesics are ideal for pain relief:

Spazmalgon;
Paracetamol;
Analgin;
Papaverine;
Ibuprofen.

However, mandatory consultation of a gynecologist and an endocrinologist is necessary. Pain can be caused not just by a spasm, but by serious inflammatory processes, erosions, cysts.

As I said above, not all teas cause bloating, and mint tea is generally an exception. Peppermint tea actually helps to protect the stomach before menstruation.

Whether you're looking for ways to relieve stress, ease the pain associated with menstrual cramps, and stop bloating during PMS, peppermint tea can remedy many conditions. Mint has been used for generations as a natural pain killer, especially stomach pain.

Mint water has been used to soothe colic in babies for centuries. Peppermint has diuretic properties, thus combating water retention and bloating.

To eliminate bloating and increased gas formation before menstruation, you can resort to the following medications:

No-shpa, Drotaverine, Almagel - antispasmodic drugs that will reduce pain when inflated;
Activated charcoal - a sorbent that removes toxins from the body (suitable when the stomach swells from overeating);
Omeprazole, Festal, pancreatin - enzymatic agents that improve digestion;
Dimethicone, Kuplaton - special means that stimulate the removal of excess gases from the body;
Espumizan is a popular remedy for dealing with excess gas formation.

Traditional medicine helps not only to cope with bloating, but also to prevent the occurrence of this symptom.

It happens that patients suffering from bloating do not want to see a doctor or take specialized medications. Traditional medicine will help decide what to do in this case.

Decoctions of mint or chamomile will help if a woman is very swollen before menstruation. The drug is prepared as follows: for 250 ml of boiling water, a teaspoon of dried chopped herbs is poured (if the decoction is based on mint and chamomile, a spoonful of each herb is added to a glass of liquid), the decoction is stirred and infused for half an hour.

You can take a decoction with the addition of honey, like a regular herbal tea.

Further prevention

Limit your intake of salty and sugary foods. After ovulation, the production of the hormone of happiness decreases. As a result - irritability, nervousness and a desire to please yourself with something tasty. During the premenstrual period, a woman may want salty or sweet. But in this case, it is not advisable to indulge the whims of your body, as this is fraught with subsequent discomfort.

It is better to give up coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages for a while. Caffeine is especially dangerous for those girls who have stomach problems. In this case, bloating is guaranteed. Alcohol promotes gas formation, the lower abdomen may swell. It is advisable to give up these drinks a week before the expected period if you want to avoid discomfort in the abdominal region.

The exceptions are green teas, which have less caffeine than black teas, mint tea, herbal decoctions. Peppermint relieves cramps in the abdomen, fights water retention in the body and bloating. Decoctions of fennel, chamomile, horsetail, ginger, nettle have a diuretic effect.

In order not to provoke an aggravation of PMS, which is characterized by bloating and flatulence, it is recommended:

Lead an active lifestyle, because sport provokes the production of the hormone of joy.
Do not overeat and do not follow your desires.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration that accompanies heavy bleeding.
Control your condition, and if it deteriorates rapidly, do not hesitate to seek medical help.

Thus, bloating during menstruation and during PMS is a fairly common phenomenon due to hormonal changes.

Nutrition and drinking regimen

To avoid unwanted flatulence, you should not overeat, and also eat before bed. Perhaps this is the key factor that provokes bloating. Also, you should not use such products that precede gas formation:

fast food;
fat meat;
smoked meats;
sweets and confectionery.

Before menstruation should begin, many women note that their appetite increases 3-4 times.

This is due to a decrease in the production of certain hormones. To avoid overeating, you should include foods such as:

nuts;
dried apricots;
prunes;
black bitter chocolate;
bananas;
canned stewed meat.

It is also important to keep the water balance. You should drink a lot (at least 2 liters), but in small portions, so as not to provoke stomach irritation.

Water will equalize the pressure, reducing fluid loss along with menstruation.

As noted earlier, constipation can cause bloating. One way to avoid constipation is to have enough fiber in your diet.

During menstruation, a woman should consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day. Of course, the best way to achieve this is to eat fiber-rich foods.

Some foods that are high in fiber are bran, berries, mushrooms, beans and legumes, leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.).

Be careful, however. If you are not used to consuming a lot of fiber, start with a small amount and increase it gradually.

If you try to add too much fiber to your diet and your body isn't used to it, you'll end up bloated—and that's not just before your period. Too much fiber at once will actually cause gas and thus cause bloating.

Flatulence is an extremely unpleasant condition that significantly reduces the quality of life. Excessive formation of gases in the human body can be caused by various reasons, physiological or pathological. Bloating before menstruation is a normal phenomenon that a fairly large number of women face.

Causes

Bloating directly depends on the amount of gases produced in the intestines. Flatulence is considered to be a condition in which the intestines accumulate more than three liters of gases. Part of the gas is formed during the digestion of food, the other part is swallowed during its use.

An excess amount of gases can be caused by insufficient enzymatic activity of the digestive system or by the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms into the intestines. Such processes lead to the fact that food begins to rot and ferment. These conditions are accompanied not only by the release of gaseous compounds, but also by the production of toxins, which adversely affects the general condition of a person.

Before menstruation

There are several reasons that can contribute to the appearance of flatulence during menstruation:

Change in hormonal background. The menstrual cycle has three phases, these are follicular (menstrual), ovulatory and luteal (secretory). At the onset of each phase, there are changes in the hormonal background, which are necessary for fertilization, conception, the formation of conditions for bearing the fetus and for tissue renewal in case fertilization did not occur this month.
Edema. The abdomen may swell due to the accumulation of fluid in the body on the eve of menstruation, in other words, due to the formation of edema. They can form on the legs, arms, and the stomach can also swell. The formation of edema is explained by the preparation of the body for blood loss.
Pregnancy. Pregnant women often experience increased gas formation, and there are reasons for that. Firstly, the hormonal background also begins to change, preparing the woman's body for bearing and developing the fetus. Secondly, with an increase in the uterus, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which contributes to the appearance of this symptom.

Ovulation. The onset of ovulation in some women may be accompanied by bloating or discomfort in the abdomen. Bloating directly during ovulation occurs due to the action of hormones. If the symptom appears a couple of days before the onset of ovulation, the cause may be a regional increase in temperature, because at this time it rises slightly and falls with the onset of ovulation.
Tumor formations. One of the symptoms of uterine fibroids can be bloating. If over time, premenstrual symptoms increase or new ones appear, you should consult a doctor.

The manifestation of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle is purely individual for each woman. Some may experience bloating during menstruation, others before them, etc. It depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the physique of the woman and other things.

How to get rid

If it is known for sure that the abdomen is swollen not due to pregnancy, a tumor, or other diseases associated with the hormonal background, in order to alleviate the symptom, the following recommendations can be followed:

Do not overfill your intestines. It is necessary to abandon the use of fatty foods, starchy foods.
14 days before the onset of menstruation, you need to limit yourself to eating salty and spicy foods, smoked meats, soda, caffeine, etc.
During menstruation, you should not eat raw vegetables and fruits, fatty foods and legumes.
Food should be eaten in small portions and chewed fractionally. You can drink after eating after half an hour. Foods that cause bloating and contain fiber should be limited for a while.

If a symptom occurs, you can use tea, infusion of fennel, dill. Tea with cardamom or ginger will be useful.
With the onset of menstruation, you can start taking vitamins E, B, magnesium.
Massage of the back, thighs can be beneficial. To do this, it is better to use massage oil containing juniper, lavender or grape extract.
Before the onset of menstruation, you can take warm baths with black pepper or fennel oil. With the onset of monthly water procedures, it is better to avoid, this can provoke increased bleeding.
Good mood. Psychosomatics plays an important role in the formation of symptoms. The more a woman gets hung up on feeling unwell, winding herself up, the stronger the symptoms will be. You can cheer up by doing what you love, walking, talking with friends, etc.
Medications. If the symptom is unbearable, then with the permission of the doctor, enterosorbents can be taken. These drugs include activated charcoal, Enterosgel.

Bloating during menstruation is a fairly common occurrence. It can be different for every woman. In some cases, it brings severe discomfort, which you want to get rid of as soon as possible. Solving such questions on your own is not recommended. It is better to first consult with your doctor and choose a method that will be more effective.

Bloating before your period is one of the most common symptoms of PMS. Women also often have mood swings, irritability for no reason, and other signs of hormonal changes. But this is not a cause for concern, but a normal phenomenon.

Physiological changes in the female body always lead to swelling of the abdomen before menstruation. Let's talk about the most common causes of this phenomenon.

Hormonal changes

Bloating during menstruation is associated with. Throughout the monthly cycle, a woman repeatedly encounters hormonal changes that provoke bodily edema and swelling of the stomach.

Hormonal changes are also associated with an increase in the amount of progesterone in the premenstrual period. Without it, the egg cannot be fertilized. It affects the process of softening and increasing the size of the uterus, which provokes the occurrence of uncomfortable sensations and flatulence.

Pregnancy

With a delay in menstruation and bloating, it is recommended to do a pregnancy test. The expectant mother often swells, she regularly has dizziness, morning and. She also faces flatulence and swelling.

You should not put off going to the doctor if, in addition to bloating in the first trimester of pregnancy, aching discomfort often occurs in the lower abdomen. Regular pain in the stomach at the beginning of pregnancy, accompanied by flatulence, may indicate a spontaneous miscarriage.

Ovulation

Bloating before menstruation is a problem that all the fair sex faces. Flatulence is one of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Progesterone acts on the uterus, preparing it for a possible pregnancy. During the period of ovulation, that is, approximately in the middle of the monthly cycle, the egg leaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube. Its movement often leads to discomfort in the lower abdomen.

When the uterus swells in the middle of the monthly cycle due to a minor injury - the release of the egg from the ovary, bloating occurs.

Nutrition

Gas formation before menstruation often occurs due to non-compliance with the rules of a healthy diet. A few days before the onset of menstruation, the body slows down the production of the hormone of happiness - endorphin. A woman seeks to compensate for a bad mood with tasty, but unhealthy food.

Thus, the fight against depression is carried out with the help of food, resulting in increased gas formation. Malnutrition leads to a malfunction in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. There are flatulence, constipation, heartburn and.

bowel problems

Intestinal diseases provoke a negative effect of female hormones on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. There may be bloating and constipation before menstruation:

with dysbacteriosis. In this case, there is an insufficient number of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines, which provokes bloating before menstruation;
intestinal obstruction. This disease is characterized by the occurrence of problems associated with the removal of gas from the body;
diseases of the abdominal organs. Due to the negative effect of the disease on the pancreas, the food entering the stomach is poorly digested;
intestinal infection. The disease is accompanied by frequent vomiting, flatulence and fever;
the presence of intestinal helminths.

Hypodynamia and uncomfortable clothing

When intestinal peristalsis is disturbed, flatulence occurs. This is explained by the fact that gases cannot leave the stomach. This problem is often faced by women leading a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary work and lack of physical activity is a common reason why the stomach swells after menstruation.

Also provokes the occurrence of flatulence wearing uncomfortable clothing. To prevent this problem, you should wear bras that do not squeeze the chest. As for pants and sweaters, they should be comfortable and not too tight to the body so as not to squeeze the stomach area. Otherwise, bloating will occur before menstruation.

How to get rid of bloating

You can eliminate the problem of flatulence by following simple rules.

Diet

Bloating before menstruation is often provoked by rotting undigested foods and excess fluid in the body. Therefore, to get rid of this problem, you need to follow the rules of a healthy diet and diet:

A week before menstruation, it is recommended not to eat foods containing fats and carbohydrates. Food these days should be as gentle as possible for the digestive tract. Beans, flour products, cabbage, powdered sugar should be excluded from the diet.
Eat protein-rich foods such as eggs and milk.
It is necessary to completely exclude from the diet salty and smoked foods that retain fluid in the body, causing edema.
To prevent flatulence, it is necessary to abandon carbonated drinks a week before menstruation.
During menstruation and a week before them, you need to eat food rich in magnesium and vitamin B.

Medical treatment

Treatment of bloating before monthly medicines should be prescribed by a doctor. There are medications that help relieve swelling and remove accumulated gases from the intestines.

Best of all, sorbents cope with this mission, which act like a sponge in the stomach, absorbing pathogens, toxins and toxins. These substances negatively affect intestinal motility, contributing to water retention in the body.

So, medicines with which you can get rid of the problem of bloating before menstruation:

Activated carbon.
White coal.
Enterosgel.
Polysorb.
Espumizan.
Pepsan-R.
Motilium.
Neobutin.
Lactofiltrum.
Linex.
Mezim.

If flatulence is accompanied by painful sensations, it is likely that a spasm has occurred in the intestines. Antispasmodic drugs will help to remove it. For example, you can take No-shpu, Sparex or Papaverine.