Why Does My Stomach Seem Bigger a Week Before My Menstrual Cycle?

Update Date: 2024-05-20 Source: Network

About a week before menstruation, some women may experience breast tenderness, abdominal edema, edema in the lower limbs, and a general sense of fullness. These are actually normal physiological reactions. This is because about a week before menstruation, the corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone. Among them, estrogen causes water and sodium retention, leading to edema, while progesterone counteracts the effects of estrogen. However, when the proportion of these two hormones is imbalanced and the effect of estrogen outweighs progesterone, edema may occur, giving a sensation of the abdomen becoming enlarged before menstruation. The hormones rapidly withdraw before menstruation, and these symptoms subsequently disappear.

During menstruation, the cervix is in a slightly open state. Having sexual intercourse during this period can easily introduce bacteria from the external genitals and perineum into the vagina, cervix, and even the uterus, leading to endometritis or acute adnexitis (including the fallopian tubes and ovaries) and pelvic peritonitis. Additionally, menstrual intercourse may also cause the detached endometrial tissue to flow back into the pelvic cavity, resulting in endometriosis. These various conditions can cause increased menstrual blood volume, prolonged menstruation, and menstrual pain.

While exercise is not absolutely prohibited during menstruation, intense activities such as jumping and running should be avoided as they can exacerbate menstrual discomfort, such as soreness in the waist and back, and even cause menstrual pain and irregular menstruation. Swimming during menstruation should also be avoided because the cervix is slightly open during this time, making it easier for bacteria to invade the uterine cavity and increase the risk of infection, leading to various gynecological inflammations.

Consuming cold or raw foods or drinking cold beverages during menstruation can affect the contraction of the uterus, impeding the smooth flow of menstrual blood and leading to menstrual pain. Additionally, due to the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone during menstruation, along with water and sodium retention and excessive antidiuretic hormone, many women tend to become irritable and anxious. Eating excessively salty foods can exacerbate water and sodium retention, leading to headaches and edema.