Can Dehydration Delay Your Period?

Can Dehydration Delay Your Period? | Natalist

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Dec 19, 22 ●

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There are many factors that can affect your period, but can dehydration delay your period? Read on to learn more.

By OBGYN and fertility specialist Dr. Kenosha Gleaton

A late period could mean a lot of things. Pregnancy, irregular cycles, hormonal changes or imbalances, but what about dehydration? Let’s talk a little more about factors that affect your period, how water plays a role in the menstrual cycle, and ways to prevent dehydration.

Supporting your body during menstruation

Those of us with a period know that it can take a lot out of you every month. The symptoms leading up to and during menstruation are often uncomfortable, which is why many of us enjoy curling up, in our pjs, with a heating pad and whatever sweets or snacks we’re craving. While this is a great short term solution, there are other habits we can adopt to properly support our body throughout menstruation. Factoring in some “good-for-you” foods along with some “good-for-your-cravings” foods can make a world of difference. Drinking plenty of water and cutting back on things like caffeine and alcohol are a few that come to mind.

Factors that affect your period

Many of us have very regular periods, some of us have unpredictable periods, and all of us are susceptible to having fluctuations in our periods when it comes to duration, symptoms, and flow. There are many things that can alter our hormones and in turn, affect our periods. Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, iron or other vitamin deficiencies, and lifestyle factors such as exercise, smoking, weight, and stress are probably the most common factors for impacting menstruation. A study by BMC Women’s Health concluded that modifiable factors such as smoking, weight, and exercise are associated with cycle irregularity and early menopause. The study also suggested that adopting healthier lifestyle practices such as smoking cessation, stress management, and weight control can improve reproductive health overall. 

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Dehydration during menstruation

So we know that other factors can play a huge role in our menstrual cycle, but what about hydration? Water is crucial for all life, especially for the functioning of our bodies. Water is used to lubricate our joints, aid in digestion, maintain healthy skin, and more, including menstruation and the entire menstrual cycle. In fact, blood is approximately 83% water, and water makes up the majority of all human tissue. 

A semi-experimental BMC study found that water intake may have a modifying role in reducing the duration of menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain associated with menstruation. Healthy water intake, around 2,200 ml/ 9.5 cups a day for females, can prevent blood from thickening and in turn, cause a shorter, less painful period. There isn’t much data on whether or not dehydration can actually delay the onset of your period, but we do know that dehydration may cause a longer, more painful period. While the results of this study are interesting, it’s important to note its limitations, including self-reported data, uniform study participants, and confounding variables such as diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption. 

Regardless of whether you’re menstruating or not, dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, lightheadedness, and can lead to severe complications such as organ failure and death. There is increased fluid loss during menstruation which may exacerbate any effects of dehydration. Drinking plenty of water daily, and especially around your  period or when exerting a lot of energy, is extremely important for the functioning of your entire body as well as making your period more manageable. 

TL/DR: Increased water intake may alleviate painful period symptoms and decrease the duration of your period.  

What can cause dehydration

Dehydration occurs when someone isn’t taking in enough water, or is losing more fluid than they’re taking in. 

Basic factors such as how much someone is eating and drinking, as well as common causes of fluid loss such as urine, sweat, tears, and diarrhea are the simple causes of dehydration. Other factors that could influence hydration include:

• Illness

Any illness that is causing someone to sweat, vomit, or have loose stools is going to put them at an increased risk of dehydration.

• Diabetes

High levels of glucose in the bloodstream puts someone at a higher risk of dehydration due to an increased urine output.

Coffee, tea, and alcohol are all diuretics that increase urine output and may put someone at risk of dehydration.

• Climate

Hot and dry climates increase the need for fluids and may also increase the risk of dehydration.

What worsens dehydration?

If you are already dehydrated, it’s important to focus on drinking fluids, especially mineral water and other fluids containing electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential nutrients that have a major role in hydration, as they help balance cellular fluid, regulate muscle and nerve function, and keep the body functioning at its prime. Factors that could worsen dehydration include:

Tips to prevent dehydration

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of drinking 9-10 cups of water a day. To ensure you’re maintaining appropriate fluid intake, try out these tips:

As mentioned previously, coffee, alcohol, and tea are all diuretics that increase urine output and increase the risk of dehydration. 

• Infuse your water

If you find it hard to drink plain water, try naturally infusing your water. Fruits, herbs, and some vegetables such as ginger, mint, berries, cucumbers, lemon, and more can add some flavor to your water bottle. 

• Eat your water

There are many foods with high water content that can help you reach your hydration goals! Cucumber, melon, grapefruit, zucchini, skim milk, and more, are great options that are full of water.  

Electrolyte drinks or sports drinks can be a great option as long as they have the right ingredients. Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium help our cells and organs function to keep us healthy. You do want to avoid products with high added sugar contents, high caffeine content, and artificial sweeteners and chemicals.

If you enjoy soda or don’t enjoy drinking flat water, you could always try adding in sparkling water for a bubbly, healthier hydrating option.

Key Takeaways

• Menstruation can be impacted by hormones, stress, weight, hydration, smoking, and more

• Healthy lifestyle practices such as smoking cessation, stress management, and weight control can improve reproductive health overall

• Water is used to lubricate our joints, aid in digestion, maintain healthy skin, and more, including menstruation and the entire menstrual cycle.

• A semi-experimental study demonstrated that water intake can decrease painful period symptoms as well as the length of your period.

• Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content such as melons, strawberries, lettuce, cucumbers, etc.

• Hydration drinks can be a great addition to increase your fluids, but be sure to keep an eye out for added chemicals, sweeteners, and caffeine

• Magnesium is a key electrolyte that can support relaxation, calcium absorption, and bone health. Check out Natalist Magnesium Plus drink mix or Hydration & Energy drink mix. 

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Why It’s So Easy To Get Dehydrated On Your Period

Marian Weyo/Shutterstock

By Josee Ng|Nov. 5, 2022 5:00 am EST

A typical woman will experience about 450 menses in her lifetime, from the time of her first cycle until menopause, per WebMD. While most people’s menses last three to five days on average, they can go as long as seven. Adding those figures up, the average woman spends about 3,500 days of her life menstruating. Although factors like weight gain or loss and dietary changes can affect a woman’s period length, we know that nobody is exempt from the unpleasant impact of periods.

When you’re on your period, your body’s hormone levels fluctuate, causing your body and mind to be on the fritz. Some common symptoms of menstrual syndrome, per the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, include bloating, breast tenderness, emotional ups and downs, skin issues, and decreased interest in sex. Interestingly, many people have also reported experiencing increased thirst right before or during their period, causing them to drink more water during menstruation. Does that mean our bodies are more prone to dehydration during periods? If so, how does hydration affect our menstruation health? These facts about periods and dehydration might surprise you.

Menstruation and dehydration go hand in hand

mi_viri/Shutterstock

It turns out that you’re more likely to get thirsty when you’re on your period. The reason being is that at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, your progesterone and estrogen levels are low, causing your body to retain water and leave you feeling bloated and fatigued, ob-gyn Kendra Segura tells PopSugar. When your body retains water, fluids leak into the surrounding tissues instead of remaining in your blood vessels. This may sound contradictory, but water retention can be a sign of hydration because dehydration slows your metabolism and causes your body to retain water in an attempt to preserve electrolytes and other nutrients. Therefore, you need to drink more water to flush your body and keep it rehydrated.

To keep bloatedness, muscle cramps, and fatigue in check, drink at least eight glasses of water per day, Dr. Segura advises. Meanwhile, refrain from consuming alcohol and caffeine because they can worsen dehydration. If you have migraines, drink more water when on your period because dehydration is one of the most common triggers of headaches and migraines. Regular water intake during menstruation also aids tremendously in diminishing menstrual pains, reducing tension, and shortening the bleeding duration, per findings from a study in the journal BMC Women’s Health. Therefore, keeping your body hydrated will make your period so much easier to bear. If you let your body be dehydrated during your menses, your menstrual symptoms will only get worse.

Foods that keep you hydrated during your period

Rido/Shutterstock

Did you know your diet can affect if you’re dehydrated, including while on your period? “Dehydration can make cramps worse, so women should ensure they drink plenty of water, and consume alcohol and caffeine in moderation,” says Dr. Caroline Overton (via The Guardian). Aside from water, Dr. Overton also recommends drinking herbal tea, such as chamomile tea, hibiscus, peppermint tea, or rooibos, to cope with menstrual pains, reduce stress, and have better sleep. To jazz up your pain-fighting menstrual diet while staying hydrated, nutritionist Emma Thornton from A.Vogel recommends adding fresh, nutrient-loaded smoothies made of leafy greens to your dietary approaches. 

For instance, a glass of kiwi and ginger smoothie, which are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, can give your body a boost of energy while reducing period cramps. A smoothie made of almond milk and spinach – great sources of magnesium and iron – can be helpful for those who’re always struggling with fatigue and stress during their period. If bloating is your perpetual menstrual issue, add celery to your daily smoothie for a healthy dose of bloat-fighting potassium content. If you struggle to manage your menstrual symptoms, replacing red meat, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine in your daily diet with leafy greens and plenty of water will help you feel better.

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What is dehydration

Dehydration is a condition in which the body loses more fluid than it takes in.

The human body is 55-78% water. It is involved in all processes, so the loss of even 1.5% causes headaches, dizziness and fatigue. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink before you feel thirsty. But it is very difficult to make up for the loss of fluid in some diseases. Because of this, dehydration can even lead to death.

Why dehydration occurs

Dehydration occurs when a person does not drink enough water or loses it too quickly. Possible reasons for this situation:

• sweating on a hot day or with a fever;
• severe vomiting;
• prolonged diarrhoea;
• frequent urination when taking diuretics.

Who is more likely to get dehydrated

Anyone can get dehydrated, but the most common ones are:

• infants because they cannot report thirst and their condition;
• taking diuretics;
• who have had severe diarrhea or who have frequent intestinal problems;
• older people because they already have less water in their bodies, feel less thirsty and take more diuretics because of heart disease;
• people with diabetes due to more frequent urination;
• athletes – against the background of intense training;
• drinking too much alcohol;
• those who have spent a lot of time in the sun or in a hot environment such as a sauna.

What complications can dehydration lead to

Since all organs need water, the body suffers without it: there is less blood. Therefore, the heart is forced to work harder, and the vessels of the brain narrow. The latter affects memory and coordination.

If there are not enough salts and minerals, convulsions and interruptions in the work of the heart may begin.

And if the blood becomes critically low, hypovolemic shock may develop. With it, organs can be irreversibly damaged, and a person can die.

What are the signs of dehydration

Thirst seems to be the most obvious sign, but it’s not that simple. Many people, especially the elderly, do not feel dehydrated until dehydration is severe enough. Therefore, you need to drink before you feel like it, and increase the amount of water in hot weather, during sports and when you are sick.

You can notice dehydration by symptoms such as:

• dry mouth;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness;
• decreased amount of urine (babies keep diapers dry longer).

What to do when you’re dehydrated

When you’re dehydrated, you need to drink water. If it does not linger and “asks back”, start with very small portions, for example, drink from a spoon. Relief usually comes quickly.

Avoid fruit juices, as they are high in sugar and fruit acids and can aggravate indigestion. Drinks with caffeine and alcohol are also not recommended, because they increase urination and, conversely, draw out water.

With severe sweating, vomiting and diarrhea, in addition to fluid, the body loses salts and minerals that need to be replenished. In such a situation, a large volume of water will not help, but will only dilute the blood, which can cause heart failure, convulsions and other problems.

Therefore, with large fluid losses, it is better to drink pharmacy solutions of electrolytes, and during intense training – sports drinks with salts.

Babies should not be given water to avoid water intoxication. So it is better to apply to the chest more often. If the child receives the mixture, then in no case should it be diluted further. If dehydration is suspected, try giving a little water from a spoon.

In severe cases, if drinking does not seem to help, or if vomiting and diarrhea do not stop, you will need medical attention.

When to call an ambulance

Severe dehydration can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, sometimes with dehydration, urgent medical attention is needed.

For an adult and a child who already speaks well

The following symptoms can be considered dangerous:

• feeling extremely tired;
• disorientation in space;
• dizziness when standing up that does not go away within a few seconds;
• dark yellow urine;
• infrequent urge to urinate;
• rapid breathing and palpitations;
• reddened and hot skin;
• fever;
• convulsions;
• hallucinations;
• altered mental state.

To a small child

Very young children cannot tell how they feel, so you need to monitor the following signs:

• child seems sleepy;
• diaper stays dry longer than usual;
• urine is darker and smells stronger;
• the child is breathing rapidly and his heart is beating very fast;
• few or no tears when crying;
• the fontanelle sinks, that is, the membrane on the head is pulled inward, as it were;
• fever present;
• convulsions;
• skin red and hot.

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Dehydration and its symptoms

Moscow

Health

Adviсe

Percentage dehydration:

• 1% – intense thirst, headache, general malaise;
• 5% – dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath;
• 10% – convulsions, cell death;
• 20% – death.

1

During illness, especially in case of poisoning and SARS, drink much more than usual, and not only hot tea, popular in such situations, but also just clean water;

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2

When exercising and in hot weather, also increase the intake of water that is lost through sweat;

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3

Don’t tolerate being thirsty – always have a small bottle of water with you. And even better – a stylish and compact AQUAPHOR City filter bottle.

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