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I first noticed the impact of my period on my appearance during college. On the first couple of days, I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. My eyes appeared puffy, my skin tone seemed off, and my mouth had a perpetual frown. My cheeks lacked their usual color, my hair was frizzier, and the veins beneath my fair skin looked a deep purple.
As I aged, I became aware of even more changes leading up to my period. It wasn’t just my eyes that swelled; my entire face seemed to puff up, giving the illusion of more distance between my eyes and spreading my nose across my face. When my daughter pointed out the dark circles under my eyes that appeared monthly, I realized it wasn’t just my imagination — I truly looked different when navigating the monthly cycle.
About a decade ago, while having lunch with my aunt, I was trying to curb my PMS cravings with a turkey club and fries when she mentioned that my uncle had remarked she always looked different during her periods. Now that I’m in my 40s, and my periods have become less frequent, I can confirm that every time my monthly visitor arrives, I notice more wrinkles, larger bags under my eyes, and the emergence of more gray hairs.
This isn’t information you typically receive in health class, and my gynecologist never mentioned these changes either. However, it appears to be a common experience among those who menstruate — our fluctuating hormones can affect not only how we feel but also how we look. The blame largely lies with bloating, according to Dr. Lisa Martin, founder of Wellness for Women. She explains that most of the changes in our appearance before our period can be attributed to swelling and fluid retention caused by hormonal shifts, especially the drops in estrogen and progesterone.
This decrease in estrogen affects fluid balance in our bodies, which explains why our fingers might look puffy and why our clothes feel tighter. “The drop in estrogen reduces fluid clearance from your body, leading to increased retention,” states Dr. Martin. “Once your period starts, estrogen levels rise again, and fluid movement normalizes.”
So what can we do about this bloating? Dr. Clara Johnson, a medical professional with years of experience, provided some useful tips. It’s essential to remember that bloating is a common symptom experienced by around 85% of those who menstruate. She suggests consuming potassium-rich foods in the days leading up to your period, which can alleviate bloating by balancing sodium levels and promoting urine production. Foods like leafy greens, bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, and tomatoes can be beneficial.
Staying hydrated and maintaining physical activity can also help alleviate bloating. Regular exercise supports digestion, which may ease some of the uncomfortable symptoms.
While some changes in our appearance during menstruation are due to irritability and heightened expressions, hormones are still the main culprits. Although avoiding salty and sugary snacks before our periods can help, I find that indulging in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and French fries is a comfort I’m not willing to sacrifice, even if it means facing a few days of bloating each month.
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Summary
Menstruation can lead to noticeable changes in appearance due to hormonal fluctuations, primarily through bloating and fluid retention. Understanding these changes can help in managing symptoms. Recommendations for minimizing bloating include a potassium-rich diet, hydration, and staying active.
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