In a 1987 study published in sports medicine researchers debunked the theory that maintenance of body fat percentage of 17 to 22 percent were necessary to maintain normal menstrual function. Focusing on body fat percentage instead of weight is much more useful to track fat loss progress.

Body Fat Percentage Not Body Mass Index
Body fat measurement during period. Many women experience fluid retention in the few days before their period starts. The good news about period weight gain is that it isnt actual fat mostly just water weight thanks to your hormones and the gi irregularityand less than ideal eating and exercise habits. The healthy range of body fat for men is typically defined as 8 19 while the healthy range for women is 21 33. Fluid retention which occurs because of hormone changes associated with the menstrual cycle can cause breast tenderness uncomfortable swelling in your hands and feet abdominal bloating and weight gain. Calculating body fat percentage isnt always completely accurate and there are many methods to try. Its a physical symptom of premenstrual syndrome pms.
A skin fold test is done using a tool called calipers to pinch different areas of your body and measure body fat. Pms includes a wide range of. It is necessary fat that maintains life and reproductive functions. Here are the 10 best ways to measure your body fat percentage. There are a few ways to measure but many people go with a three site approach. Once the body detects that pregnancy didnt occur hormone levels change again.
Weight gain during menstruation is less common than weight gain before your menstruation. The amount of essential fat differs between men and women and is typically around 2 5 in men and 10 13 in women. Women please be aware that your menstrual cycle effects your bodys hydration and will cause fluctuations in your body fat testing. Well talk about the healthy range for men and women and the limitations. This drop in estrogen and progesterone trigger the body to shed the lining of the uterus and menstruation begins. Its recommended women refrain from testing during their period to avoid erroneous measurements and misleading progress graphs.
During your period its normal to gain three to five pounds that goes away after a few days of bleeding. Scientists have attempted to identify specific body fat percentages at which monthly cycles become disrupted.