When Your Period Makes You Feel “Puffy”
That uncomfortable tightness in your stomach…
The jeans that suddenly don’t fit…
The feeling of being “full” even when you didn’t eat much…
If you always feel bloated before your period, you’re not imagining it — and you’re definitely not alone. Bloating is one of the most common PMS symptoms, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many women assume it’s normal and unavoidable, but persistent or severe bloating is a sign of hormonal imbalance, inflammation, or digestive stress.
At Klinik Q, we focus on uncovering why your body reacts this way and how to reduce it naturally from the inside out.
Why You Bloat Before Your Period: The Real Causes
1. Hormonal Fluctuations (Especially Estrogen & Progesterone)
During the luteal phase (the week before menstruation), your estrogen levels rise. This leads to:
- Water retention
- Slower digestion
- Increased salt sensitivity
Then progesterone drops — causing your body to hold even more water and making your digestive system sluggish.
This hormonal dance is the reason bloating is most intense just before your period starts, and it usually improves once bleeding begins.
Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles — including those in your digestive tract.
This causes:
- Constipation
- Gas buildup
- Slower bowel movements
All of which contribute to bloating.
3. Increased Cravings & Emotional Eating
When hormones shift, cravings for salty, sugary, or carb-heavy foods spike.
Foods like:
- Chips
- Chocolate
- Bread
- Fast food
increase water retention and inflammation, worsening bloating.
Your gut and hormones communicate constantly. When your gut is inflamed or unbalanced, PMS symptoms including bloating become stronger.
Signs your gut is involved:
- Bloating even when not PMS
- Irregular bowel movements
- Fatigue after meals
- Food sensitivities
When you’re stressed, your cortisol rises — and high cortisol contributes to:
- Water retention
- Cravings
- Sluggish digestion
- Hormone imbalance
Many women notice they bloat more during stressful months.
Pay close attention if bloating is:
- Severe
- Painful
- Happens all month
- Paired with irregular cycles
- Associated with weight gain or acne
This may point to:
- Estrogen dominance
- Hypothyroidism
- PCOS
- Gut disorders
- Endometriosis
Bloating is common — but not always normal.
How Klinik Q Gets to the Root Cause
At Klinik Q, we don’t just treat bloating — we investigate why it’s happening.
Our approach includes:
- Hormone testing (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol)
- Gut health assessment
- Lifestyle & stress evaluation
- Nutrition and supplement guidance
- Personalized treatment plans to reduce inflammation and restore balance
This is how we create long-term results, not temporary relief.
How to Reduce Period Bloating — Starting Today
- Eat more fiber (vegetables, whole grains, chia seeds)
- Reduce dairy & red meat
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers
2. Support Progesterone Balance
- Prioritize sleep
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol
- Stress management (breathing, stretching, short walks)
Balanced progesterone helps digestion run smoothly.
- Ginger
- Mint
- Pineapple
- Lemon water
- Yogurt / kefir (if you tolerate dairy)
These support digestion and reduce inflammation.
Salt increases water retention.
Sugar increases inflammation.
Together? A bloating disaster.
Gentle movement improves circulation and reduces bloating:
- Walking
- Light yoga
- Stretching
- Breathing exercises
Even a 10–15 minute walk can help.
Bloating Isn’t Just a “PMS Problem” — It’s a Hormone Signal
If you’re feeling bloated every month, your body isn’t failing — it’s communicating. Understanding the hormonal and digestive reasons behind bloating helps you take back control instead of dreading your period.
At Klinik Q, we guide women in healing their hormones, supporting gut health, and reducing PMS symptoms naturally — so you feel lighter, healthier, and more balanced every month.
