Will I gain weight when my period comes?

Many people always misunderstand that they will gain weight during their period, which makes them very worried. They always start to lose weight frantically a few days before their period. In fact, this is not good for their body. Not only that, it will also cause less menstrual flow. Therefore, it is better not to lose weight rashly during menstruation.

The menstrual cycle is regulated by the interaction between reproductive hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries. The following changes occur during the menstrual cycle:

① After women reach puberty, under the control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and a small amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) to promote the maturation of ovarian follicles and begin to secrete estrogen. Under the influence of estrogen, the endometrium undergoes proliferative changes;

② As the follicles mature, the secretion of estrogen also increases gradually. When it reaches a certain concentration, it promotes the anterior pituitary to increase the secretion of gonadotropin through positive feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary, and the increase in LH secretion is more obvious, forming a peak of luteinizing hormone release, which causes the mature follicle to ovulate;

③ Under the action of luteinizing hormone, the ovulatory follicle forms a corpus luteum and secretes estrogen and progesterone. During this period, the endometrium, mainly under the action of progesterone, accelerates growth and functional differentiation, transforming into secretory endometrium;

④ As the corpus luteum secretes a large amount of estrogen and progesterone, the concentrations of these two hormones in the blood increase, which inhibit the hypothalamus and pituitary gland through negative feedback, causing the pituitary gland to secrete less follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. The corpus luteum then atrophies, and as a result, the progesterone and estrogen also decrease rapidly. The endometrium suddenly loses the support of these two sex hormones, collapses and bleeds, and the endometrium falls off, resulting in menstruation.

Menstruation is regulated by the interaction between reproductive hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovary. During the menstrual period and proliferation period of the menstrual cycle, the levels of estradiol and progesterone in the blood are very low, thereby weakening or eliminating the negative feedback effect on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, leading to increased secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, which in turn leads to increased secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland, thereby promoting follicle development and gradually increasing estrogen secretion.

At this time, estrogen stimulates the endometrium to enter the proliferative phase. Luteinizing hormone increases the secretion of progesterone, leading to ovulation. During this period, both estrogen and progesterone levels increase. This produces a negative feedback inhibitory effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, thereby reducing the levels of ovulation-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, leading to corpus luteum degeneration, and then reducing estrogen and progesterone levels. The endometrium loses the support of these two hormones and begins to shed and bleed, which is when menstruation occurs. At this time, the decrease in estrogen and progesterone begins the next menstrual cycle.