Yes, you might perceive weight loss after your period ends, but it's often due to the reduction of pre-period weight gain rather than actual fat loss.
Many women experience fluctuations in weight during their menstrual cycle. This is primarily caused by shifts in hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to:
- Water Retention: Hormonal changes can cause your body to hold onto more water, leading to a temporary increase in weight.
- Food Cravings: Some women experience increased cravings for salty or sweet foods during their period, contributing to weight gain.
According to the provided information, it's normal to have some weight gain before or during your period. This gain is due to these hormonal fluctuations, water retention, and food cravings. The reference also mentions that this weight gain usually goes away a few days after your period starts, which could give you the impression that you've lost weight after your period.
To summarize:
| Period Phase | Possible Weight Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Before/During Period | Weight gain | Hormonal fluctuations, water retention, increased appetite/cravings |
| After Period Starts | Gradual return to normal weight, appearing as weight loss | Decrease in hormonal influence, reduction of water retention, return to normal eating habits and appetite |
Therefore, while you might see a decrease on the scale, it’s more likely that you are simply returning to your baseline weight after shedding the extra water and effects of hormonal changes, rather than losing actual fat.
