Water retention or fluid retention or edema is a condition that results when water leaks into the body tissues from the blood. It occurs in the circulatory system or within tissues. Some women also experience water retention during pregnancy. Women who are physically inactive can also be affected.
Causes:

• Standing and sitting for too long
• Fluctuating hormones
• Eating too much sodium
• Medications
• Cardiac and kidney problems

Symptoms:

• Discoloured skin
• Aches
• Tenderness in the limbs
• Stiffness in the joints
• Weight gain