Is it normal to not have an appetite on my period because it makes me feel nauseous?
The rise and fall of hormones throughout your cycle can have a huge effect on your appetite. This varies from person to person, but some people may find that estrogen acts as an appetite suppressant. During the week of your period, your estrogen levels are starting to rise, while your progesterone level is very low. Progesterone may be the reason that your appetite goes wild with craving on your period. So at this time, your “feed me!” hormone is very low and your “eh, maybe later” hormone is rising. (Both have effects on blood sugar and insulin resistance.) Toss in period cramps and tummy aches, and you have a pretty compelling recipe for why you might not feel hungry on your period.
Sex hormones play essential roles in the regulation of appetite, eating behaviour and energy metabolism and have been implicated in several major clinical disorders in women. Estrogen inhibits food intake, whereas progesterone and testosterone may stimulate appetite.
