Why Your Blood Sugar Is High Before Your Period (Even When You’re Doing Everything “Right”)

So you’ve been drinking plenty of water, doing your evening walking, eating loads of fiber—and yet somehow, your blood sugar is still higher than usual.

Then you check your calendar.

Ah.That week.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on with high blood sugar before your period, and why it’s not your fault, your snacks, or a glitch in your glucose monitor.

Spoiler: it’s your luteal phase, and she’s kind of a handful.

Wait, what is the luteal phase?

Your menstrual cycle has a few phases, but the luteal phase is the one that kicks in after ovulation and before your period starts. Hormone levels—especially progesterone—start to rise.

Translation: your body becomes a little more resistant to insulin, meaning glucose hangs out in your bloodstream longer. And boom—high blood sugar levels, even if you didn’t eat anything wild.

Why high blood sugar before your period is totally normal

I’m gonna say this loud for the perfectionists in the back:

You didn’t mess up. You’re just cycling.

This hormone shift affects a lot of women—even those who don’t have diabetes or prediabetes. But if you do have blood sugar issues, the luteal phase can feel like a monthly glucose plot twist.

Here’s what’s likely going down:

• Estrogen dips, progesterone rises

• You become more insulin resistant

• Blood sugar levels creep up (especially fasting numbers)

• You might crave sugar, carbs, or just everything in the kitchen

• You’re also more tired, moody, bloated, and over it 🙃

Real talk: I tracked my blood sugar—and it’s real

I tracked my own blood sugar during this phase. My fasting glucose hit 100—even with gentle movement the night before. That’s right on the borderline, and it was still surprising.

But once I factored in my cycle? It made total sense.

What can you do about it?

First of all, don’t panic. Awareness is half the battle. Here are a few real-life, no-shame tips to support your blood sugar during the luteal phase:

• Don’t skip meals (especially protein + fat at breakfast)

• Walk after eating (even just 10 mins helps)

• Try magnesium-rich foods like spinach, pumpkin seeds, or dark chocolate

• Track your cycle so high blood sugar doesn’t catch you off guard

• Sleep. No seriously, go to bed.

Hormones are powerful. Your body is doing its thing. You don’t need to fix it—you just need to understand it. So if you notice high blood sugar before your period, know that it’s valid, it’s common, and it’s part of the cycle.

Stay tuned, stay tracking, and stay kind to your body.

-Nia