Do you weigh more on your period?

Why weight changes before and during periods

Quick summary

• Body changes before and during periods are completely normal, as hormones can cause bloating
• These changes are mild, short-lived, and part of healthy development
• Parents can help with empathy and reassurance by normalising body changes, focusing on comfort, and providing nutritious meals

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If your daughter notices their body feeling different around their period, maybe a little fuller or puffier, they’re not alone.

Many teens experience this, and it can feel frustrating or confusing.

Here’s the thing: feeling a bit different during a period is completely normal.

Hormones and water retention are at work here, and for most teens, these changes are temporary. 

As a parent, knowing how to explain this in a calm, reassuring way can make a huge difference for their confidence.

Let’s break it down.

Why your teen might gain weight before her period

Before a period, your teen’s hormones, mainly oestrogen and progesterone, start shifting. These changes can:

• Cause bloating and a feeling of fullness
• Lead to cravings for salty or sweet foods
• Influence mood and appetite

It’s a normal part of the menstrual cycle called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS for short.

Weight gain during a period: what’s normal

During their period, your teen may notice their clothes feel a little tighter or their tummy feels puffier.

This can be down to slower digestion and extra water retention. 

Reassuring them that these changes are normal and not a sign that anything is wrong can help prevent unnecessary worry.

Comfort, not calorie counting or worrying, should be the priority here.

Do teens gain weight on their period or before it?

Both can happen! 

Many teens notice their bodies feel a little different just before or during their period.

The key thing to know is that these changes are temporary and normal, part of how the body responds to hormone fluctuations.

This can be a great moment for parents to normalise the changes and focus on boosting their teen's body image.  

Helping them understand their cycle will make them feel more confident and in control.

How much weight can your teen gain during her period?

One small study into changes in body weight during periods showed a temporary gain of around 0.5kg (1lb). 

However, the exact number depends on hydration levels, hormone fluctuations, and salt intake.

Other reasons for period-related weight changes

There are a few other reasons your teen might feel changes in their body around their period:

• Cravings for salty or sugary snacks
• Less activity due to cramps or tiredness

How parents can support during period weight changes

Here are a few simple things you can do:

• Offer plenty of water and balanced meals full of the best foods to eat on a period
• Limit salty snacks or processed foods at home
• Encourage light activity such as stretching or gentle walks
• Remind your teen that bodies naturally change throughout puberty and that feeling different sometimes is part of growing up

A little empathy goes a long way, and your reassurance will likely mean the world to them.

Watch out for signs of low self-esteem, and have open, honest discussions with your teen about their bodies and how they change throughout their lives. 

Helping your teen feel confident, cycle after cycle 

Changes in how the body looks or feels around a period are completely normal.

The changes can feel a little frustrating, but with empathy and reassurance, parents can turn this into a learning moment rather than a stress trigger.

Keep the conversation open and judgement-free. The best support you can give your teen is empathy, not the scale.

And if they need some extra support feeling good about their bodies, our app luna is full of positive messages to help them learn more about their cycles and feel good about their unique body.

Rated 4.8

Support your teen through it all with luna

Find out more