Survey study, 1990
Is premenstrual bloating different from bloating at other times of month?
Not really. Daily changes in weight and tummy size were similar whether it was premenstrual or not, suggesting mild bloating is just a normal, everyday experience for many women rather than a separate 'abnormal' condition.
What they did
Women attending a gynaecology outpatient clinic filled out a questionnaire about fluid-retention symptoms and recorded their daily weight and abdominal girth (waist size).
What they found
Daily weight varied from 0 to 9 pounds (most commonly 2 pounds), with no clear difference between premenstrual and other days. Daily girth varied from 0 to 6 inches (most commonly 1 inch). Breast swelling was more common premenstrually, finger/hand and ankle swelling were more common between periods, and abdominal swelling happened equally at both times. Symptoms did not correlate with weight changes, but abdominal swelling was linked to girth variation (P less than 0.04).
What it means for you
Mild day-to-day bloating and weight swings seem to be a normal part of life for many women, not a sign something is wrong, and there is no clear line between 'normal' and 'abnormal' fluid retention. The study did not report a sample size and looked at only one clinic at one point in time.
0-9 lb, mode 2
daily weight variation (common)
0-6 in, mode 1
daily girth variation (common)
P<0.04
link, abdominal swelling-girth
About the study
- Original title
- The relationship between 'normal' fluid retention in women and idiopathic oedema
- Authors
- Denning DW, Dunnigan MG, Tillman J et al.
- Journal
- Postgraduate medical journal
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.66.775.363
Topics
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