Sanya Malhotra says her ‘body weight fluctuates throughout the month’; experts on why it is common in females

“These weight fluctuations can be attributed to a combination of physiological factors, primarily influenced by the hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle,” said Dr Akta Bajaj, senior consultant and head-obstetrics gynaecology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. She added that during the first half of the menstrual cycle, the levels of estrogen gradually increase, leading up to ovulation. “During this time, some women may experience water retention, which can cause a temporary increase in weight. After ovulation, during the second half of the cycle, progesterone increases. This hormone can also contribute to water retention, potentially causing additional fluctuations in weight,” Dr Bajaj told indianexpress.com.

Additionally, in the latter phase — called the follicular phase — both energy intake and expenditure increase as women experience cravings for high carbohydrate and fatty food, said Miloni Bhandari, clinical dietician and functional nutritionist, Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital, Pune.

Here’s what to consider about the period cycle (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

In fact, as per registered dietitian Garima Goyal’s analysis, “weight is such a transient thing that you might find a different figure on the scale early in the morning and a varied number before going to bed”. “Morning weight is usually lower, attributing to the water weight being shed at night to complete the metabolic processes of the body. By the end of the day, the foods and drinks you consume raise this number on the scale. These variations are, usually, due to water weight as more water is retained in the body due to a high-sodium diet. So if you want to minimise these fluctuations, try cutting down on processed foods as they are packed with sodium,” Goyal said.

Even gastrointestinal disturbances caused by hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can lead to various changes in the gut, such as diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain, which may cause you to gain some weight. “Bloating may make you feel that you have gained a few pounds. The rise in progesterone a week before periods slows down intestinal muscle contractions leading to slow digestion and constipation. Prostaglandins secreted by the uterus during menses causes diarrhoea by disrupting the electrolyte and fluid balance in the small intestine,” said Goyal.

Does it happen with all women?

No, “not all women experience significant weight fluctuations” during their menstrual cycle, stated Dr Varsha Gorey, senior clinical dietitian, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai. “The degree of fluctuation can vary among individuals, and some women may not notice any significant changes in weight from month to month. Several factors can influence the extent of weight fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, including genetics, overall health, lifestyle factors (such as diet and exercise), stress levels, and individual variations in hormone levels and sensitivity. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider that weight fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can differ,” said Dr Gorey.

Concurred Bhandari and said that these “weight fluctuations are typically minor”. “It is important that understand and accept natural weight variances as it will contribute towards overall well-being and positive body image,” Bhandari said.

Here’s what to consider about extreme hormonal changes (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

What to consider?

If the weight changes seen during the menstrual cycle are significantly high, consult a health care provider as it may be a sign of an hormonal imbalance, said Goyal, as she listed some other factors affecting weight:

Pregnancy – Sometimes during early pregnancy, there are rapid weight changes.
Menopause – Women in their late 40s/ early 50s experiencing symptoms of menopause may also experience weight gain due to hormonal fluctuations. Various hormonal tests are done to confirm the onset of menopause symptoms such as estradiol, testosterone, FSH etc.
Thyroid issues – Thyroid imbalances in women also contribute to weight changes. Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) causes weight gain while hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid) causes weight loss.
Weight training – The exercises involving muscular work may make you gain a little weight as muscles are heavier than fat. You might be still losing fat, but numbers may go up.

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