Do you believe pre/during menstrual issues cause cravings?

I wonder if some/most/all of you suffer from crazy cravings before/during that time of the month. After last month's "cycle" I am convinced of it. See I had a uterine ablation (thus the cycle in quotes), so I don't really bleed anymore, but I got hit with this crazy, insatiable munchie craving for several days--it was BAD. Then I had a tiny bit of spotting and I realized it had to be premenstrual stuf because the cravings went away just as quickly as they came. When I'm not being motivated hormonally to snack, I rarely eat between meals except for my nice protein rich snacks like greek yogurt--not honey chex mix or pringles like I was craving those several days.

So, do you have increased cravings or am I just crazy? Okay, don't answer that last part of the question!! LOL! 

Hope your weekends are going well!

Denise

OMG!  Yes!  Yes, so bad.  I am only 3 month out and have had TOM 2 times and about to start my 3rd, and the cravings each time KILL ME!  It makes me hate the fact that I even had surgery because I wish I could just eat what I crave so they do away.  But in reality I know that giving into cravings doesn't take them away.

But then I found that if I eat more, good for me kind of stuff, eat more often I lose more weight at that time.  I think our bodies metabolism increases during that time of the month and so it causes cravings.  So instead of giving into them I just eat a few more almonds or roasted soy nuts or string cheese and I find that I feel better and will lose weight.  If I don't, then I either maintain my current weight or gain 1 or 2 lbs. 

I hate TOM!  I hate the cravings, but once TOM starts the cravings are gone and I almost don't want to eat at all for like 2 weeks.  It was sort of the same way before surgery but since surgery it has been more exaggerated.  

Sorry so long!  It just poured out of me...cause I am having the bad cravings this week :( 

I  feel the same way. It is the hardest time for me. Sometimes I am hungry 24/7 and sometimes it's just for something sweet. Usually last three days then it tappers off. I hate it.
No matter what you eat it will not satisfy that craving. I refuse to give in to it anymore. I was hoping things would change after WLS. No such luck. lol

Omg I thought it was just me......I get those cravings and they are so strong. I've gone from one extreme to the next. The first 3 or 4 months after surgery the week before my cycle I would hardly eat anything, I just didn't have an appetite and now I can't stop eating (not really but you all know what I mean).

You are sooo not alone!!!

I have gotten very good at not snacking except for scheduled snacks... but before and during my TOM I want to eat everything in sight!

YES! I also had an ablation and this month didn't even have a cycle really..just barely spotted no more than 2 times, anyways, I have a few days where I could have eaten the front door off the house! OMG I cannot stand it, I am still pre-op thank goodness, but I tried to eat sugar free Popsicle, grapes, watermelon, drink lots of water, huh nothing worked it seemed! I still wanted a huge chocolate covered steak sprinkled with salty goodness....lol well not really but almost!

Chocolate-covered steak sprinkled with salt..... WOW.  That sounds a little TOO good!  LOL!!!!  If you went into business and sold that, you could make big bucks off of us PMS ladies!  

OH NO that is when everything get crazy and I want chocolate so bad it isn't funny!!! I give my self a little bite, just enough to say I've had it and things seem to be okay... but yes month cycle time is bad times ...
Alicia

Denise,

I totally relate!!!  I'm battling a lot of cravings lately as I am in perimenopause, and my hormones are all over the place!  Last night I ate..... uh..... 7 sugar-free Fudgesicles.  OK, so it wasn't like I ate an entire cake, but I don't like that out-of-control feeling.  I have occasionally eaten entire bags of sugar-free chocolate..... and paid the price with toxic gas that I'm suprised didn't cause the Environmental Protection Agency to show up at my door!!!

So.... you are NOT crazy!  

It's not just you. I promise. I crave SALT like crazy when my cycle starts. I want to lick the salt shaker (eww). I have done really well the past few months with working around the craving. ICE has become my friend. I will suck on ice like crazy my whole cycle (which is on right now BTW) and OMG the past few days have been the worst.