Mood swings before menstruation: Why your cycle affects your mood

Do you know that feeling? You feel like you've cracked the code to all of life's challenges one day – only to find yourself deep in the Toffifee box with tears in your eyes the next. If you do, you are far from alone.

Are you wondering? Here's the short explanation: Mood swings before menstruation are primarily caused by changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When hormone levels drop in the days leading up to menstruation, it can affect the brain's neurotransmitters – including serotonin – which play an important role in your mood.

HUterine fluctuations are therefore closely linked to changes in the menstrual cycle.Many people find that their emotions, energy levels, and mental alertness change with the cycle.

The good news is that when you understand the interaction between your period and your mood, it becomes much easier to handle the emotional ups and downs that may occur during the month.

The content of this article has been verified by Emma Libner, author, vaginal activist and sexologist.

The impact of your hormones on your mood

To understand the link between menstrual cycle and mood, it is important to take a closer look at the hormones that control the cycle. Behind the scenes, a complex hormonal dance takes place.

In short:

• Estrogen dominates in the first half of the cycle and plays a central role in ovulation.

• Progesterone dominates in the second half of the cycle after ovulation and is often also called the pregnancy hormone.

However, both hormones affect much more than fertility. They also have a major influence on the brainwhere they can influence:

• your mood

• your energy level

• your sex drive

• your sleep pattern

• dine cravings

When the craving for chocolate suddenly appears, or you are moved by a video of cute baby animals at exactly the same time every month, it could easily be due to changes in your hormonal balance.

👉 Dive deeper into your cycle's inner seasons and understand in depth what's happening in the body

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Mood swings in the cycle are individual

The influence of hormones on mood is very individual and can be experienced differently from person to person. For example, while some people experience increased creativity, inner peace, and more reflection in the period leading up to menstruation, others associate the same period with irritability, anxiety, and lower energy levels.

There is therefore no one “right” way to experience your cycle.

The most important thing is to get to know your own cycle, so you can better understand and predict your own patterns and needs.

👉 You can read more about the four phases of the menstrual cycle in the article here.

Typical symptoms of hormonal mood swings

• irritability

• sadness

• crying for no apparent reason

• increased sensitivity

• cravings

• lower energy level

• difficulty concentrating

👉 If you want to make your period just a little easier, try the softest menstrual panties with different absorbency levels.

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The connection between menstruation and stress

Many of us – whether we menstruate or not – live at a fast pace in our daily lives. But if you have a menstrual cycle, you may experience increased sensitivity to stress at certain times in the cycle.

This means that things that normally don't feel particularly stressful can suddenly feel more overwhelming.

This is due, among other things, to the fact that hormonal balance changes throughout the cycle, which typically lasts about a month.

Therefore, it is perhaps not so surprising that women figure more in statistics about stress. According to a report from National Institute of Public Health (2014) More women (25%) than men (17.5%) respond that they experience a high level of stress.

A working life that does not take into account the hormonal peaks and valleys that many people experience during the menstrual cycle can therefore negatively affect mental well-being.

When we constantly try to perform the same way every day – no matter where we are in our cycle – it can lead to us suppresses the body's natural need for rest, breaks, or a different way of working.

And when we suppress how we feel, it can easily feel like our hormones have power over us.

👉 Read more about how we can create more period-friendly workplaces here.

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3 tips for managing mood swings during your cycle

Although hormonal mood swings are normal, there are several things you can do to support your mental health throughout the cycle.

1. Track your cycle and learn your patterns

Learn to predict possible mood swings by track your cycle.

You can use:

• a cycle app

• a calendar

• a cycle diary

When you check in with yourself daily, you not only gain more self-awareness – you also have the opportunity to proactively adapting your daily routine to your cycle.

2. Plan your daily routine according to your cycle

Many people experience more energy around ovulation, while energy levels drop in the run-up to menstruation.

Therefore, try to:

• put demanding tasks in the high-energy phase

• prioritize rest and breaks during the low energy phase

Pro tip: Try to avoid filling your calendar too much just because you have a lot of energy one day. The energy doesn't necessarily last.

3. Share your challenges with others

Talk to those closest to you about how your cycle affects you.

When people around you understand what you are experiencing, it often becomes easier for them to support you and show consideration.

Feeling understood can make a big difference when hormones are raging.

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Your cycle can become a strength

Your menstrual cycle is a part of you – for better or worse.

When you learn to understand your body's rhythm, it can actually become a valuable guide in everyday lifeIt can help you understand your needs for energy, breaks, creativity and reflection. You can read much more about how to use your discharge and your cycle to guide you in the article here.

The best thing you can do, therefore, is to get to know your own rhythm and work with it instead of against it. You've got this. 

 

It is important to say that if you experience a profound depression in the second half of your cycle that negatively affects your everyday life, your self-image or your relationships? Then we recommend that you contact your doctor.

Severe hormonal drops should always be taken seriously as they may be a sign of a condition called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). You can read more about it in the article about PMDD here.

Many of us experience PMS during our luteal phase, and You can learn more about the symptoms in this article here.

 

FAQ about mood swings and menstruation

Why do you get mood swings before menstruation?

Premenstrual mood swings are primarily caused by changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. During the last part of the menstrual cycle, levels of both hormones drop, which can affect brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and thus your mood.

When in the cycle are mood swings worst?

Many people experience the strongest mood swings in the days leading up to menstruation, also called the luteal phase. This is when hormone levels drop and the body prepares for menstruation.

Is it normal to feel sad before your period?

Yes. Many people experience increased sensitivity, irritability, or sadness before their period. If the symptoms are mild to moderate, it is a normal part of the menstrual cycle.

When should you seek help?

If your mood swings are so severe that they affect your work, relationships, or self-image, it may be a sign of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)In that case, you should talk to your doctor.

Can you reduce mood swings during your cycle?

Yes, many people experience improvement by:

• track their cycle

• Prioritize sleep and breaks

• reduce stress

• eat regularly

• exercise

For some, talking to a doctor may also be relevant.