The luteal phase could be to blame. The crafty little stage of the menstrual cycle that occurs after ovulation and before your period starts. If you are an avid social media doom-scroller, you may have come across this term over the past year or so…let’s defeat some myths and reveal some truths about what this hot topic really means.
Despite what TikTok might suggest, it does not magically transform you into a different person, however it can affect how you look and how you feel about your appearance. During this stage, you may experience these common symptoms: bloating, breast tenderness, acne breakouts, appetite changes, headaches, and mood shifts. The NHS list these as the typical luteal-phase/premenstrual symptoms.
Before menstruation, your hormones often fluctuate. Progesterone helps prepare the endometrium (the uterus lining) for a potential pregnancy; at the same time, oestrogen levels rise. This can lead to water retention and bloating, which explains why people often feel they have gained weight during this time, and may have a slightly puffier face. Another result of these fluctuations is acne.
The hormone progesterone peaks during this phase, which can significantly affect the skin in several ways. Progesterone stimulates the oil glands to make more sebum (oil), causing acne breakouts. Also, during this time, the skin can become more sensitive and reactive, which can lead to increased inflammation, causing redness and irritation.
...normal does not translate to universal.
Here is the important part: normal does not translate to universal. Since every person is different, everyone’s experience throughout the luteal phase differs. Therefore, symptoms vary from person to person and even from month to month. The NHS notes that PMS symptoms differ between women and can change over time. So while one person may experience bloating and breakouts, another may barely notice any physical changes at all.
Interestingly, a person may not actually change physically; however, because of internal differences, a person’s self-image may be affected. You might be wondering how that is possible. Well, if someone is subject to mood swings, fatigue, and irritability – symptoms that can also arise during the luteal phase – they may view themselves in a more negative light than usual. This means they may be increasingly more self-critical of their appearance, and convince themselves they look worse, when in reality they just have a low mood and energy. A lot of it is about perspective.
It is worth knowing that if symptoms are severe and disrupting daily life, it could be a sign of a premenstrual dysphoric disorder rather than ordinary PMS.
So, does the luteal phase really affect how you look? The answer is yes, but it is usually in subtle and temporary ways. You may retain more fluid, feel bloated, and get oilier/acne-prone skin, but often symptoms improve once the period begins.