What should you know about menstrual bloating?

Hormonal shifts around a period can affect how the bowel moves and how the body handles salt and fluid. Gas, constipation and a stretched feeling may follow. The pattern often improves as bleeding ends, but bloating that continues between periods may have another explanation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Food Intolerance and Lactose Intolerance can also cause recurrent bloating, sometimes with cramps, diarrhoea or constipation. Coeliac Disease, Helicobacter Pylori Infection or Giardiasis may need consideration when symptoms persist or occur with weight loss, vomiting or altered stools.

Keep a simple diary of cycle dates, meals, bowel movements and symptoms. Gentle movement, regular fluids, slower eating and smaller meals may reduce pressure. Limit foods that clearly trigger gas, but avoid broad or restrictive elimination diets without guidance. Nutrition Counselling can help build a balanced plan.

Treat constipation with advice from a pharmacist or clinician, especially if you are pregnant, take regular medicines or have another health condition. Notice whether the symptom follows the same cycle pattern each month.

Book a medical review if bloating is new, frequent, progressively worse or present outside the menstrual pattern. Seek urgent care for severe sudden pain, persistent vomiting, a swollen rigid abdomen, fainting or blood in the stool. Mention heavy bleeding, fever or unplanned weight loss.

Ask whether your timing and associated bowel symptoms fit a menstrual pattern, whether testing is needed, and which changes to food, activity or medicines are reasonable for you.