What happens to the body before and during menstruation?

You look in the mirror — and don’t quite recognize yourself: your face looks softer, your eyes more tired, your favorite dress fits a little differently. Your mood shifts without warning, and that familiar lightness seems to disappear.

There are special days when the body seems to speak a different language.

And in those moments, it’s easy to think something is wrong with you.

But the truth is deeper and — unexpectedly — calmer.

Your body isn’t malfunctioning. It is simply living through its cycle.

In the second half of the month, long before menstruation begins, a subtle internal shift starts. Hormones — those invisible conductors — change their rhythm. Progesterone takes the lead, bringing with it a different state: slower, more sensitive, more “inward”.

The body begins to retain water — not out of stubbornness, but out of necessity. That’s why you may notice swelling, a slight heaviness, and the feeling that you’ve changed a little. This is not fat, not a “loss of shape”, and not a dietary mistake. It is simply water that will leave just as quietly as it arrived.

The abdomen becomes more rounded, sometimes slightly tense. This is also part of the process: the muscles relax, digestion slows down, and everything inside seems to move more slowly. On these days, the body is in no hurry — and invites you to slow down with it.

The breasts become more sensitive. Sometimes — too sensitive.

This is also the language of the body: tissues respond to changes, become fuller, and more sensitive to touch. And there is nothing wrong with this — it is simply another aspect of your physiology.

Even cravings for something sweet are not a weakness.

Inside, the chemistry of mood changes, serotonin levels drop, and the body looks for a quick way to restore warmth and comfort. Sometimes it’s chocolate. Sometimes — simply a need for care.

And yes, during these days the skin may look different. A little less firm, less even. But this is not a real change — it is a reflection of deeper processes happening beneath the surface: microcirculation, fluid movement, and tissue tone. After the cycle begins, everything gradually returns to normal.

All of this is not a problem that needs urgent fixing.

It is a state that can be lived through gently.

A little less salt. A little more water. Gentle movement — not out of obligation, but for pleasure. A warm bath, a slow walk, silence instead of overload.

And perhaps most importantly — a different relationship with yourself.

Do not demand a perfect shape on days when your body is busy with more important processes. Do not compare yourself to yourself on your “best days”. Do not look in the mirror for flaws that are only temporary.

Your body is not betraying you.

It is simply moving through its cycle — again and again, with precision and wisdom.

And if you listen closely, there is not only discomfort in this process, but also a special depth. A moment to become closer to yourself. Not through control, but through understanding.

Because true harmony is not constant perfection.

It is the ability to stay on your own side — in every day of the month.