7 Body Changes Before Your Period

Before an individual’s period, they often experience a range of disruptive and intense symptoms such as fatigue, tender breasts and body aches. This is known as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. In this blog post, we’ll delve deeper into these PMS symptoms and explore 7 major body changes that can happen before your period.

What are the bodily changes that happen before your period?

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common and notable change in the body when an individual experiences PMS. This is due to the fluctuation in hormone levels, in particular oestrogen and progesterone. A change in serotonin levels also cause fatigue as it plays a role in mood regulating and the sleep-wake cycle.

2. Bloating

When the hormones oestrogen and progesterone lower before the menstrual cycle, this causes water retention to occur. The body’s cells become swollen with water which causes the feeling of bloating. The body not only retains water, but salt too. After a few days of an individual’s period, the oestrogen and progesterone levels will become balanced again, return to a normal amount and regulate any feelings of bloating.

3. Tender breasts

PMS can often cause the breasts to become swollen and tender and even sore in some cases. The hormone oestrogen rises when you are experiencing PMS and causes the breast ducts to enlarge. The hormone progesterone also begins production and this causes the milk glands to swell, resulting in sore and tender breasts.

4. Change in appetite

An individual may eat more or less in the days leading up to their period. Other symptoms like bloating or constipation can cause someone to consume less food than usual. On the other hand, when your appetite increases you may be prone to eating carbohydrates and foods rich in sugar. This due to the fluctuations in progesterone that stimulates appetite.

5. Acne or pimples

Premenstrual acne is also triggered by hormonal fluctuations. This causes the skin’s natural oils to increase, leading to further breakouts on the skin. This natural oil or moisturiser is called sebum and if there is too much produced, the clogs the pores with oils, dirt, bacteria and more. This triggers a spot or several pimples to form.

6. Headaches

When oestrogen levels drop, it triggers changes blood vessel dilation and neurotransmitter levels in the brain which can cause a headache. They can also be caused by a shift in fluids in the body alongside electrolyte levels, this includes changes in sodium or potassium. Other factors mostly contribute to headaches however, such as fatigue or a change in appetite.

7. Back pain

Back pain in the days leading up to your period is caused by a oestrogen and progesterone levels changing and affecting ligaments and muscles in the back region. The uterus also contracts more during PMS contributing to lower back pain or feelings of discolmort.