Swollen tummy - does anyone else suffer with this in extremes each month?

My doctor took me off my usual pill for a month as I was getting headaches (which I now know were because of my jaw),.  I'm due on and my stomach is so swollen and horrid I can't even do my jeans up without looking 7 months pregnant.  I feel very uncomfortable, and whilst the pill has done quite a lot to minimise monthly temperatures, pains, back aches, I still have the belly issue.  Is there anything I can do to help...or do I just wear leggings for 3 days each month?

Yes, I get this. I find that drinking lots of water and avoiding salty food helps. I also find that tight trousers seem to make it worse - my tummy seems to swell more in reaction to being hemmed in I guess. I also found that I got it if i rushed too much in the morning, so make sure I sit and drink water slowly etc first thing.

I do but I have being doing my best to not think about it as I'm worried that, at worst some gynae problems are returning, or at best I might need to go through excluding some foods to see what is the culprit. I know it sounds pathetic but I will be gutted if it is caused by wheat or diary. I hadn't thought about salty foods or water so thanks for that tip jellicle I'll give that a go first. Sorry nor to be more helpful RB.

I get this too, its one of my IBS symptoms which get worse due to stress, PMS or very rich foods. I've been checked for allergies etc and none of them are positive, so its something we have to put up with, well that and de-stress

Gah, I was diagnosed with IBS years ago whilst I was at uni and I do suffer quite often...but period seems to make things worse.  Thanks for replies...MJ, hope it's not serious xxx

Mine was awful when I used to have periods - I measured it once and it was 36 inches!! (usually 26/ size 10). I got some maternity trousers for work and tracky botts for home. I tried buying bigger trousers but they were too big elsewhere and looked very odd.