Is it normal for your feet and ankles to swell during menstruation, and can anything be done to stop it? This is a very common question our readers, especially women, ask us on a regular basis. Therefore, we feel it will be a good idea to write on it so that anyone affected by this can refer to this article any time.

Actually, fluid/water retention, also known as Oedema is very common during menstrual periods and the few days before your period begins. Meanwhile, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate or attempt to prevent it. You might be surprised to know that this excessive water retention is felt not only in the feet and ankles, but also in the abdomen, thighs, upper legs, face and breasts in some women.

First let’s look at the stages of the menstrual cycle and how Water Retention takes place in each stage;

Pre-menstrual Stage: This stage occurs about 2-3 weeks before the bleeding period and water retention begins in this stage but it is not extreme yet.

Follicular Stage: In this stage, the body produces large amounts of estrogen and the uterine lining begins to thicken. Serious water retention and bloating takes place in this stage. Ovulation also begins in this stage.

Luteal Stage: Progesterone replaces estrogen as the hormone in abundance and this means less bloating but there is still water retention at this stage too.

Period: In this stage the unfertilised eggs, the excess uterine lining and excess water are flushed out with the period bleeding. Bloat is relieved by this bleeding.

Post Menstrual Stage: This is the period right after the bleeding stops and many women experience all of the premenstrual symptoms including bloat, water retention, weight gain, headaches, cramps, anxiety or depression.

Causes of Water Retention

So now, we know that water retention and bloating tend to occur in the premenstrual and follicular stages and starts to be relieved during the luteal stage and is flushed during the period stage. For some women this happens every month and for others it is just an occasional gain.

However, if it starts in premenstrual and goes until bleeding starts to be completely relieved, that can mean 3-4 weeks of water retention and being miserably uncomfortable.

The most common cause is hormonal changes and imbalance due to the increase of estrogen that starts slowly in the premenstrual stage and is excessive in the follicular stage.

The luteal stage sees the estrogen diminish and progesterone increase which maintains an imbalance. This causes fluid to be retained in the feet, hand, legs and abdomen.

Another cause of water retention is the dehydration that can occur before and during the period, but mostly before.

Women often do not drink enough water in these stages of the cycle. Dehydration always leads to water retention as the body tries to keep what it has. Finally if a woman has high sodium - See more at: http://planbwellness.com/swollen-legs-during-menstruation-causes-and-solution/#sthash.Zod5t2j4.dpuf

This is a rare case. Can't imagine someone going through that every month.