Why certain foods taste really weird when you’re on your period

If you feel like certain foods taste weird when you're on your period, you're not going crazy, there's actually a reason for it.

As if we didn't have enough to deal with when we're on our periods already.

The bloating, the cramps, the mood swings, the heavy bleeding, having to socialise or work when you just want to crawl up in bed, eat some ice cream and watch the same show on Netflix for the hundredth time.

It might be cliché, but it's true.

On top of all that, as much as some of us are riddled with cravings when it's our time of the month, others have a hard time tasting anything, as some foods can end up tasting really weird or off putting.

In case you thought it was just you having a mood swing and suddenly hating everything, it's actually a genuine symptom of your period.

Those who menstruate have a lot to deal with a lot, and the period is only the half of it (Hazal Ak / Getty)

Gabrielle Litcherman is a women's health journalist and she has broken down what's actually happening when those tacos you've eaten a thousand times suddenly taste a bit rank.

There have been studies that have looked into the phenomenon that show that your taste buds change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

What are the different stages of your menstrual cycle?

Follicular phase

The follicular phase is the first half of a person's menstrual cycle and it's the period of time in your cycle before ovulation. It starts at the beginning and ends once you start ovulating.

Luteal phase

With the follicular phase being the first half of the cycle, the luteal phase is the second, occurring after ovulation and lasting until menstruation happens.

It's a month long struggle, and not being able to enjoy certain tastes is just another thing to deal with (Ashley Armitage / Refinery29 for Getty Images)

Why does our taste change during our menstrual cycles?

According to Litcherman, those with healthy and regular menstrual cycles will notice this change in their taste and it's to do with changes to our hormones - the ups, the downs and all the rest.

Litcherman has revealed the science behind it and actually breaks it down into a four week cycle. As the average menstrual cycle lasts anywhere between 21 to 35 days, the changes in taste actually come in stages.

Week 1: Keeping it light

This is the time between day one to day seven of your period where estrogen levels start off at their lowest and then rise throughout this time.

"Aches and pains from your period may make you want to turn to your favorite comfort foods for relief. However, despite this urge to self-medicate with indulgent treats, you’re likely preferring snacks, meals and beverages that have less sugar, salt and other bold seasonings," Litcherman writes.

The rise in estrogen levels is what causes the sensitivity in your tastebuds and the higher your hormones are, the more sensitive you'll be to flavour.

Week 2: Estrogen hits its peak

Buckle in because this is when your sensitivity to flavour hits its peak because the estrogen levels are at their highest.

Litcherman says: "During your Week 2, which is the week leading up to and including ovulation, your sensitivity to sweet, salty, sour and bitter flavors peaks. That’s because estrogen is high and rising—and the higher this hormone goes, the sharper your sense of taste becomes, peaking at ovulation.

"This spiking hormone also makes it easier to spark reward centers in the brain, which means that smaller doses of flavor are enough to trigger a big rush of enjoyment from delicious nibbles."

During week three and four, it's all about the seasoning (mikroman6 / Getty)

Week 3: Bring back the flavour

Just as you get comfortable eating bland foods, around day eight of your cycle, your body completely flips a switch and, in fact, now wants bold, flavourful food that has seasoning.

This happens because estrogen and testosterone levels drop significantly during the first half of this week before rising again in the latter half.

"Researchers believe this shift is due to a drop in estrogen that occurs during the first half of your Week 3 and a rise in progesterone that goes on throughout this cycle week." Litcherman adds. "When this hormone change happens, your taste buds become less sensitive, making food seem blander. This means it takes a stronger dose of flavor to detect tastes on the tongue.

"This hormone change also means it takes more robust flavor to activate reward centers in the brain.

"The end result is that you need a much bigger taste punch to feel satisfied compared to the previous two weeks of your cycle."

Week 4: More is more

Turns out that during the final week of your cycle, the flavour cravings are here to stay as estrogen and progesterone plummet in the final six days of your cycle.

Litcherman says: "Like your Week 3, you prefer foods and beverages rich in sugary, salty, sour and bitter flavors over lightly-seasoned options. That’s because estrogen plunges throughout your premenstrual phase.

"And while progesterone drops, too, it’s still elevated. This hormonal combo dulls taste buds and requires a bigger dose of flavor to rev reward areas of the brain.

Our tastebuds are extra fussy during our menstrual cycles but Litcherman says there is a plus side (Deagreez / Getty)

"Another food factor going on in your premenstrual phase: You’re experiencing cravings for indulgent carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pancakes, cookies, stuffed potatoes and nachos.

"The reason? As estrogen plunges, it can drag down your brain’s level of mood-regulating serotonin. Since carbohydrates help boost this chemical back up, you’re getting a biological push to eat more carb-rich foods."

As exhausting as the ups and downs of our bodies during this time can be, Litcherman says that this rollercoaster of taste can be a good thing, as it means you can sync your meal prep with your menstrual cycle and avoid certain foods during each phase.

Saves you from making yourself dinner and then feeding it to the dog instead because you can't stand the taste of it.