Water and Its Effects on Your Period: Hydration Tips
Ever thought about how drinking water affects your cycle? It’s key to stay hydrated during your period. But what are the exact benefits? How does being well-hydrated ease period symptoms and help your reproductive health?
Staying hydrated is vital for good health, especially while menstruating. Your body changes a lot during your period. Without enough water, you might get dehydrated.1 The critical reason to drink water during your period is the blood loss. When you menstruate, you lose the uterus’s lining and blood. This loss of blood can dry you out if you don’t drink enough.2
Key Takeaways
- Staying hydrated can help alleviate common period symptoms like bloating, cramping, and fatigue.
- Dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, and exacerbate period-related headaches.
- Proper hydration can help regulate hormone levels and menstrual flow during your cycle.
- Drinking enough water and consuming water-rich foods can contribute to better digestion and skin health during your period.
- The National Academy of Medicine recommends that women drink at least 2.7 liters (9 cups) of water per day, with an additional 2 cups during menstruation.
Understanding the Importance of Hydration During Menstruation
Keeping hydrated is key for women on their period. The body is mostly water3, with much water in our blood3. Not drinking enough water can cause problems during the menstrual cycle3.
Preventing Dehydration Due to Blood Loss
Women lose blood during their period. Lack of fluids can lead to dehydration. Drinking two extra cups of water each day is advised to stay hydrated3. This action helps avoid many issues. These include acne, cramps, blood clots, and even low energy3.

Reducing Menstrual Cramps and Bloating
Drinking enough water can lessen cramps and bloating. Massage with essential oils can help too4. Moreover, diet and exercise affect the pain level4. Being well-hydrated can ease period discomfort.
Supporting Digestion and Skin Health
Good hydration supports digestion and healthy skin during menstruation. Water is essential to avoid constipation and improve bloating. It can also help battle acne that sometimes shows up during the period.
Ways to stay hydrated include plenty of water and other beverages. The goal is 2.7 liters (9 cups) a day. But, when you’re on your period, you need even more water3. Drinking enough water supports your reproductive health and well-being3.
To boost your hydration, try Lark. This company is based in Toronto. They offer environmentally friendly water delivery. You can get a discount using the code HYDRATE153.
water and its effects on your period
Regulating Hormone Levels and Menstrual Flow
Proper hydration is vital for managing hormone levels and menstrual flow during your period. Hormonal changes can bring on cramps, bloating, and mood swings. By drinking enough water, you keep hormone levels in check, reducing these symptoms.35
Keeping well-hydrated also helps control how heavy your period is.6 For example, swimming can briefly slow your flow because of the water pressure. Menstrual cups, able to hold up to 35 ml of blood, work well for those with heavier flows.6 Drinking plenty of water supports your body, making your period easier to handle.
Maintaining Energy Levels During Your Cycle
Hydrating properly is key to keeping your energy up during your cycle.3 Since so much of our body is water, we need to drink enough to keep going. This is especially important during your period to avoid getting tired.3
Adding more water to your daily routine, especially during your period, can work wonders. It helps balance hormones, control your flow, and boost your energy. This all leads to a smoother period experience.536
Recommended Water Intake for Menstrual Health
Drinking enough water is key for good menstrual health. Aim to drink 2.7 liters (9 cups) daily3. But during your period, it’s smart to drink more to replace lost fluids.7
General Guidelines for Daily Hydration
Our bodies are mostly water, and our blood is half water too, with 90% of that as plasma3. To stay healthy, keep your water intake up every day. If you don’t drink enough, you might feel mentally slow or unfocused.4
Increasing Fluid Intake During Your Period
When you’re on your period, add 2 cups of water to your daily amount3. This will keep you hydrated and support your reproductive system7. Plus, being well-hydrated can make cramps and bloating less intense.7 Studies show that more water may shorten your period and ease the pain.7
Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day during your period.7 Other options include herbal teas, coconut water, and fruit juices.7 Keeping up with fluids can help you feel better during your period, improving [hydration levels, reducing cramps and bloating, affecting menstrual flow, supporting reproductive health, and promoting female wellness].
Conclusion
Focus on drinking enough water during your period. This can really help your health. It stops you from getting too dehydrated because you lose blood.8 It also lessens how bad cramps and bloating are.9 Plus, it keeps hormone levels in check,10 which calms PMS and helps your period flow better.
Drinking lots of water does more than just keep your body working well. It boosts your energy and keeps your reproductive system healthy.9 So, by choosing to hydrate, you’re doing something key for taking better care of yourself. You’ll feel better all through your monthly cycle.
It’s suggested that women drink at least 2.7 liters (about 9 cups) everyday.9 But during your period, add 2 extra cups to make up for the fluids you lose because of bleeding.8 Make sure you keep up with your water intake all the time. Doing so helps you stay healthy and feel good, no matter the time of the month.
FAQ
Why is hydration important during menstruation?
How much additional water should women drink during their periods?
How can proper hydration help regulate hormone levels and menstrual flow?
What are the other benefits of staying hydrated during menstruation?
Source Links
- https://blog.socialboat.live/the-power-of-hydration-how-drinking-water-affects-your-period/
- https://pixiecup.shop/blogs/blog/staying-hydrated
- https://easyperiod.ca/blogs/easy-blog/hydration-and-menstruation
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7845092/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/does-your-period-stop-in-water
- https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/can-you-swim-on-your-period
- https://www.nirvahealth.com/blog/hydration-for-optimal-menstrual-health
- https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water/brief/menstrual-health-and-hygiene
- https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/talking-about-periods-at-home
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/report/menstrual-disorders