Do you tend to gain or lose weight during your period?

[NeedPerfection]

I noticed in the past that usually when I have my period I lose weight and bodyfat percentage. I usually averaged at 115 lbs with 18-19% body fat, but usually around my period I averaged at 110-112 lbs with 14-16% body fat? But since I've done powerlifting I gained weight and today I have my period and I measured 119 lbs with 19% body fat. It seems more logical to gain weight during your period since of water retention. But then maybe the reason why I lost weight during my period is because of low iron levels, even though I keep the same healthy diet.

Ladies, do you usually gain or lose weight during your period?

[Nightbird573]

The week before your period is generally when you hold on to water and weigh more. During my period, the weight comes back off.

[erinlee01]

The week before your period is generally when you hold on to water and weigh more. During my period, the weight comes back off.

Same here.

[Jamaicanmixy]

The week before your period is generally when you hold on to water and weigh more. During my period, the weight comes back off.

same here...although throughout the day...i fluctuate between 115 (morning) to 120 (night) usually after a good dinner and work out

[mavrick77]

Very simple reason..... your using one of the electrical impedence scales, they suck and very inaccurate. As your water weight flucuates and sodium/potasium balance fluctuates it throws thoose things way off. YOU DO NOT GAIN 3-5lbs of BODYFAT on your period, maybe water, but not fat.

Let me give you a example of how bad thoose scales are....DAY BEFORE one of my competitions I just had my bodyfat done via BOD POD (most accurate way to measure along with underwater weighing)..... the bod pod put my bodyfat at 5%......I always knew they were off, but I was just curious how bad. So I grabbed the hand held bodyfat tester at my gym, and it put me at 19% bodyfat. that tells me it was off 14%, due to water and every other reason going on in my body.

now granted thoose things do say they are not ment for bodybuilders, but they are ALWAYS off. I garuntee if you tested yourself in the morning, drank a gallon of water and tons of salt, by that night it would have changed your bodyfat by at least 3%

now the reason behind why it was so far way off for me pre competition is a bit scientific.... electricity travels thru water very inefficiently regardless of common misconception, it needs SALT in the water to travel very effeciently. now before a competition, a bodybuilder has cut ALL his sodium out of his diet and body, and loaded up on potasium and dehydrated his self. This makes it very hard for a electrical charge to travel thru the body, thus making the bodyfat tester think that there is a great deal of bodyfat....make sense????

[krazy_kurly]

The week before your period is generally when you hold on to water and weigh more. During my period, the weight comes back off.

Yup. I gain about 3-5 lbs the week before (and always freak out about it! lol hubby has to remind it's normal for me) but the minute kitty's nose starts to bleed, I'm miraculously lighter

[hmotb555]

Me too! the week before or so I'm bloated and feel heavier and then when it comes the bloating goes down....Krazy_Kurly I like that "when the kitty's nose bleeds" lol

[PandaPaw]

Oh yeah. I gain weight for sure. Actually, just got my period today. I feel really bloated and dehydrated from my body keeping in all the extra water. By Thursday, though, I should be back on track weight wise. Also, don't listen to those fat measurements. They are not accurate enough for you to worry about. Do you measure your bodyfat frequently? It might be a little discouraging to see bodyfat measurements if you're taking them too often.

[Varla]

Oh man. I totally gain weight. Thankfully it just falls back off in a few days. But it's super annoying and doesn't help my mood.

[Lyd]

the minute kitty's nose starts to bleed

LMFAO! I've never heard that! Hilarious!

And yes...I don't know if I've ever weighed myself and compared, but when my period kicks in I feel bloated and my tummy is actually distended for a day or 2. I also get very bad cramping....not sure if that's related.

[Jamaicanmixy]

Very simple reason..... your using one of the electrical impedence scales, they suck and very inaccurate. As your water weight flucuates and sodium/potasium balance fluctuates it throws thoose things way off. YOU DO NOT GAIN 3-5lbs of BODYFAT on your period, maybe water, but not fat.

Let me give you a example of how bad thoose scales are....DAY BEFORE one of my competitions I just had my bodyfat done via BOD POD (most accurate way to measure along with underwater weighing)..... the bod pod put my bodyfat at 5%......I always knew they were off, but I was just curious how bad. So I grabbed the hand held bodyfat tester at my gym, and it put me at 19% bodyfat. that tells me it was off 14%, due to water and every other reason going on in my body.

now granted thoose things do say they are not ment for bodybuilders, but they are ALWAYS off. I garuntee if you tested yourself in the morning, drank a gallon of water and tons of salt, by that night it would have changed your bodyfat by at least 3%

now the reason behind why it was so far way off for me pre competition is a bit scientific.... electricity travels thru water very inefficiently regardless of common misconception, it needs SALT in the water to travel very effeciently. now before a competition, a bodybuilder has cut ALL his sodium out of his diet and body, and loaded up on potasium and dehydrated his self. This makes it very hard for a electrical charge to travel thru the body, thus making the bodyfat tester think that there is a great deal of bodyfat....make sense????

this is true....but i didnt know men had periods too?....dang now i know why my husband sometimes has those mood swings!