weight gain menopause - water retention

[Foxyspook]

I am normally slim and active. I am just about to be 50.

About 6 months' ago, my periods stopped although I still felt hormonal, and I suddenly gained a about half a stone. My clothes still fitted me, but it just felt like before a period, fuller breasts, stomach.

Because my period never came I have begun to see it as a permanent thing and tried to lose the weight, very hard to do. And then I stopped carbs and found I just lost the whole half stone in 48 hours.

I am now how I was before. Is this a known thing - do carbs make you retain water? I do eat a too carb rich diet more and more so.