I hate this painful bloat

Ugh, I know, right? Bloating is super common and can be really uncomfortable, especially before and during your period.

It happens because of hormone changes. Estrogen and progesterone go up and down and can make your body hold onto extra water. It's totally normal and pretty much everyone gets it.

What can you do?

• Drink water: It sounds weird because you feel bloated, but drinking lots of water actually helps your body release the extra fluid it's holding onto. Seriously, try it!
• Eat smart: Some foods can make bloating worse. Try to cut back on super salty stuff, sugary drinks, and foods that give you a lot of gas like beans or broccoli for a few days. Eating smaller meals more often can also help.
• Move your body: Even just a short walk can help get things moving in your tummy and make you feel a little better.
• Hot water bottle: A warm water bottle or a heating pad on your belly can feel really nice and help calm things down.

If the bloat is really painful, like super bad cramps, and it's making it hard to do your normal stuff, you should definitely tell a grown-up. They can help you figure out if there's anything else you can do or if you need to talk to a doctor.