How did I gain two pounds overnight? What is the typical weight gain during menstruation, does it vary by body weight or by woman to woman? When does the weight usually leave? Do you usually update your tickers and avatar?

Enquiring minds want to know.

The answer is...it varies. I know, frustrating!

I gain about 5 lbs before EVERY TOM, and it doesn't go away until 3 days after it ends. That isn't typical for most people. What was most useful for me was keeping track of that pattern so it didn't creep me out when the scale made an overnight 5 lb leap. I know what is going on, and that it will go away, so I try to relax about it now.

Lots of people gain 2-3 days before, and the weight goes away one or two days in. Some people don't gain anything. It all varies based on how your body works.

Hmmm mandalinn, I did not know that this was atypical for most people because I gain around the same and retain it for the same amount of time. My TOM is awfully mean, I suppose!

Weight gain during your TOM is very common, though. I definitely expect it. If your clothes feel suddenly tighter during that time, then there is a good chance that you gained some water weight that will soon pass

I only record my weight on Mondays, my official weigh-in day. If it is higher because of TOM, I will adjust it. Then, the next week, if it goes down, then I adjust it again. That's just me. I have to stay accountable or I would be fudging it all the time!

It is frustrating, but not much we can do about it!!! Hang in there!

Most people only gain for 2-3 days before and 1 day in, from what I've read. Lucky us!

I gain 2-3lbs, and it stays up until it's over. It's annoying, I know, but "normal".

I gain about 1-6 lb a week before, and then my weight doesn't drop until a few days after it ends...that's 15-16 days of bloating each cycle. The amount I gain really varies, and seems to be on the lower end of the scale now that I've lost a lot of weight.

I'm sort of lucky, in that I may gain 1 lbs, but not more. However, I wouldn't change my ticker just for that. As long as you know it's a weight fluctuation that's normal for *you*, why bother? (Else we could update our ticker every day, with all the crazy variations a human body can go through. )

I usually gain around 5 pounds during Aunt Flo's visit, but I'm now in peri-menopause, and haven't HAD a visit since..... oh... May.

But weirdly enough, when I was in college (about 20-some years ago) I would gain usually 8-12 pounds before Aunt Flo! Seriously! - it was THAT bad!

So believe me, I feel your pain!

Oh Beach Patrol, you poor thing. I'm currently bloated up only 1 lb and my measurements are all up 1-2"...I can't IMAGINE how bad 12 lb would be!! That must have been uncomfortable.

This is interesting! It's really just annoying. What about increased appetite? I somehow never noticed it when I was eating food enough to support a 215 pounder.

But, even though I had not felt hungry on Medifast in days, suddenly, 18 days into the program, I gained two pounds and was starving.

I find the individual variations fascinating. I guess you are right. Just plan for it, see it, note it, and move on. I just wanted to be in Onederland! I'll have to wait a little longer, because I want Onederland with a margin for TOM.

BTW, you can't search TOM, it's too few letters.

You know, some people say it is just "head hunger" before and on your period. I'm just not convinced. I have tried to maintain my same low-calorie day despite being extra-hungry-feeling from TOM, and have ended up dizzy and shaky, complete with stomach rumbling and a headache, eating the same amount I would on other days. So I allow myself an extra 100 calories or so on those days, and use filling, healthy stuff to fill it.

Being a woman is a pain!

I read an article recently that said that we do require slightly more calories around TOM. I did the calculation and it put me at 80 extra calories. So, if this is correct, there is some biological reason for it...though my hunger is FAR more than 80 calories' worth!

Well, in itself, it makes sense. We bleed, so of course we need *something* to make up for it. What would be weird is if we weren't feeling anything at all.

I agree with Kery and mandalinn82--I don't think it's "head hunger," I think it's more than that. The hormone shifts during TOM probably change the body's metabolic rate. So feeling more hungry is likely a protective thing so women can get enough nutrition.

That said, I don't think it's an excuse to overindulge in ice cream, chocolate, etc.... maybe the iron-rich food of your choice?

Jay