The menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days – depending on the woman – and begins on the first day of the period.
Pendant les 14 premiers jours du cycle, les hormones LH (hormone lutéinisante) et FSH (hormone folliculo-stimulante) stimulent le développement du follicule. Et activent la production croissante d’oestrogènes.
Around day 14, the oocyte leaves the follicle and moves into the fallopian tubes; estrogen levels drop drastically. That’s the ovulation!
The follicle, still attached to the ovary, transforms into the corpus luteum and produces progesterone for the remainder of the cycle, in order to preserve the uterine lining while awaiting fertilization.
Without fertilization, progesterone levels also drop and the uterine lining breaks down: hello Mother Nature, your period arrives.
Le taux d’hormones étant bas, un nouveau cycle recommence, et c’est parti pour de nombreuses années jusqu’à la ménopause.
Ovulation therefore occurs when a peak in estrogens happens around day 14: this is the fertile window. It’s a key point in the menstrual cycle. But does it have an impact on our weight?
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Ovulation: between bloating and weight gain
Can you gain weight around ovulation?
It is not impossible that you may gain weight during ovulation.
Indeed, during the follicular phase, your body produces increasing amounts of estrogens that can have direct effects on your appearance. Your body may be affected by water retention, leading to a higher number on the scale.
Mais vous pouvez surtout souffrir de ballonnements, vous donnant la sensation d’être plus gonflée qu’à l’ordinaire.
Néanmoins, la phase ovulatoire n’est pas le moment du cycle le plus propice à la prise de poids. C’est après celle-ci que votre poids est plus susceptible d’augmenter.
Les jours qui suivent l’apparition des règles jusqu’à l’ovulation, ainsi que le début de la deuxième partie du cycle – après l’ovulation – sont normalement les deux périodes les moins impactées en matière de prise de poids.
What are the other symptoms of the ovulatory phase?
La prise de poids n’est pas le symptôme majeur de la phase ovulatoire. Vous pouvez ressentir d’autres symptômes indiquant cette période de fertilité :
- a rise in temperature of a few tenths of a degree
- a pain in the lower abdomen caused by the release of the egg from the ovaries
- a breast tenderness
- a heightened libido
Listen to our podcast | Cherished Cycles: Women’s Well-being & Nutrition
Around periods: significant weight fluctuations
Avant les règles, le poids en hausse sur la balance
After ovulation, it’s the luteal phase: hormonal changes occur, with increased progesterone production in the first days.
If everything goes well during the first days of this phase, it’s not necessarily the same story as your period approaches! Because if fertilization doesn’t occur, progesterone production weakens.
Et entraîne chez 20 à 40 % des femmes le fameux SPM : syndrome pré-menstruel.
Not all women are affected, and they don’t have the same symptoms. Premenstrual syndrome can cause water retention in the tissues, the main culprit of the weight gain during menstruation.
Ne vous étonnez donc pas de prendre plus d’un kilo pendant cette période. Le meilleur conseil ? Évitez de se peser.
After your period, weight returns to normal
Good news, once your period starts, your weight gradually returns to normal.
It’s the gradual rise in estrogens that helps regulate weight again.
When hormones make us snack
Psychological effects
Aside from the direct impact of the menstrual cycle on weight, hormones can play tricks on you on the psychological side.
En effet, des études ont montré que le syndrome prémenstruel est associé à une baisse de la sérotonine, un risque accru de dépression, et des rages alimentaires plus importantes.
More snacking
Not only are you more likely to snack more during these few days – causing bloating and weight gain – but your self-esteem may be affected.
Result? Your image in the mirror is distorted by your negative emotions!
