Do you burn more calories on your period?

Periods can be brutal. Along with general enervation, the cramps, breakouts, anxieties around being caught short without sanitary products, and mood swings can weigh heavy each month.

For those worried about their weight, however, there’s one potential silver lining: the urban legend that periods increase calorie burn.

But is there any truth to it, and could it be the reason why periods often come with elevated hunger?

You may feel more drawn to high-calorie foods when you're on your period (Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images)

As you progress through the menstrual cycle, your hormones fluctuate significantly.

During the luteal phase that precedes your period, some research says the hormonal shifts precipitate an increased metabolic rate. In other words, you’re burning more calories.

This is backed by yet more research that shows an increased rate of dietary energy intake – i.e. increased appetite – as you exit the ovulatory phase and enter the luteal phase. The increased is sustained until the early follicular phase, or the menses phase, when you have your period and it drops back down.

From this, it seems that your metabolism is at its most demanding around midway through your menstrual cycle, just before your period begins. In other words, the evidence doesn’t back a heightened calorie burn during your period itself, but in the luteal phase in the run-up to it.

So, why do people tend to feel hungrier when they’re on their period?

As far as the hunger is concerned, a 2018 study confirmed 'the desire for sugar, salt, and fat, such as chocolate, pastries, snacks, and desserts was higher' during periods.

However, this likely has more of a psychological root than a calorie-burning one.

According to Juniper, "When we feel emotional, tired, or uncomfortable (all of which are common during that time of your cycle) it is common to crave foods that are high in fat or sugar - which for many of us, are 'comfort foods'.

"In this case, the craving is more emotional than physical."

Juniper also noted that, albeit with a paucity of studies into the relationship between periods and metabolisms, the existing data doesn’t back the urban legend.

Those hunger pangs are likely a comfort thing over a calorie thing (vm/Getty Images)

"One small study examined women's resting metabolic rate during the different stages of the menstrual cycle, and found wide variation, with some experiencing more change than others,” it said.

"Other research has found metabolic rate actually decreased during menstruation, meaning subjects burned fewer calories during their period and ovulation. Subjects' metabolic rate then gradually rose up until the beginning of the next period.

"In short, research indicates that you probably don't burn more calories during your period - but it is totally normal to feel more intense hunger and crave high fat or more carbs than usual."

Topics: Health, Diet