Two Weeks of Bloating

I've noticed that I begin retaining water about 12 days before TTOM starts, and continue to retain for 2-3 days after. During that time (which works out to about 2 weeks out of the entire month), I put on about 2-3 extra lbs and consistently look and feel bloated. Does anyone else retain water for this long, or is my body just super-weird that way?

There are many who would be thrilled if it were only 2-3 extra lbs -- for many it is 5 lbs. So super not weird.

However, there are a couple of ways to lessen it -- the big one is avoiding the salty and processed foods. Now you may not be eating any of those in any case, but it's often exactly what some women crave when they enter the second half of their cycle and it does worsen the bloating. The second is regular exercise, which again is likely part of your equation anyhow.

If the symptoms really bother you, you can chat to a doctor and s/he may suggest the over-the-counter products that are meant to lessen PMS symptoms including water retention and bloating.

People vary by 2-3 pounds from not even that time of the month. It may seem more uncomfortable to you because often times with the time of the month the stomach feels crampy so you trend to focus on it more.

Original Post by abbi333:

People vary by 2-3 pounds from not even that time of the month. It may seem more uncomfortable to you because often times with the time of the month the stomach feels crampy so you trend to focus on it more.

I've come to realize that my mental state severely effects how I view my body. When I feel ****, I look **** in the mirror. When I've pigged out the day before, I look 5 pounds fatter for the next two days. Weight fluctuates during the day around 2-5 lbs, depending on the person. Take abbi's advice and try to focus on the bloating less. It's not showing like you think it is.

Thanks, this is all great advice and information, but really I'm just wondering if anyone else retains water for 2 whole weeks straight? I'm certain it's related to my cycle because I've been tracking it closely for a year, and I've identified a distinct pattern.

Hi, for the majority of this year I lost my period, but it came back recently as I've gained to a healthy weight. Anyway, the exact same thing happened to me. About a week before I got it, I retained water just like you and I did all the following week while I had it. Some women retain water before only for it to disappear by the time it arrives, others retain even while they're menstruating. It's totally normal but if you want to reduce it, I'd take hedgren's advice and reduce the amount of sodium heavy processed foods you're eating. It sucks but hey, that's life!

Oh yeah.  I will gain 5-8 pounds about 6-7 days before TOM.  This will depress me; I will load up on carbs; then I stop exercising because I feel like junk and I am SO bloated - even thought I know why! - and before long my liver has swollen to twice it's normal size because of all the junk I have been feeding it.  The moodiness goes away the day that I start my TOM, but the water weight is still there (although I'm nop longer depressed about it!) until the end of that TOM week - because it takes that long for my body to drop that liver & water weight after I get back with the program and quit binging on carbs.  So yeah - almost half of my month is spent on the up side of the scale!  And water pills do NOT help; they just make me retain more the next day.  It sucks!!