Are you worried about your mood because of your period? Read on for an explanation of this phenomenon and suggestions for resolving it.
Several distressing symptoms might accompany a period. Although these symptoms can range from person to person, they frequently include more than just physical pain.
Depression and other forms of mental suffering are ubiquitous during your period.
You might notice:
- persistent feelings of sadness
- irritability
- difficulty concentrating
- anxiety
- low mood
- frequent crying
Mood swings and depression are common during menstruation, but they don’t always go away after it starts.
You may already know that these emotional symptoms can significantly impact your regular routine. So what exactly triggers the blues before, during, and maybe even after your period?
Below you will find the solution for handling stressful situations during periods and where to turn for help. Before you read the article, read the Difference between Health and Wellness. These words might appear the same but have a different meanings.
Hormones in Your Body
Experts aren’t 100% confident about the causes of mood swings throughout the menstrual cycle, but they believe hormones play a significant role.
Changes in your hormone levels occur regularly as part of your menstrual cycle. However, they can affect other hormones, especially dopamine and serotonin. Researchers have linked both hormones to depression.
Dopamine levels rise before ovulation, and they rise together with estrogen. It’s worth noting that this variation may account for the fact that you may experience a decline in working memory and focus when you have your period.
After ovulation, dopamine and estrogen levels drop again, and progesterone levels fall just before your period begins.
Some women have decreased serotonin after ovulation because their estrogen levels have dropped.
Changes in progesterone have been related to lower levels of dopamine. Mood swings, including depressive symptoms, may result from low progesterone levels, just as they may result from low estrogen levels.
Hormonal shifts might trigger mood disorders like despair and irritability. Hormone levels continue to rise again a few days following the beginning of your period, and you should feel better as a result.
Of course, not everyone feels down when their period rolls around. But hormones aren’t the final chapter. Hormonal fluctuations influence premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but other variables, such as genetics, might increase its likelihood.
Can It Be Attributed To ‘Simply’ PMS?
Some women experience only moderate PMS symptoms, such as mild cramps, bloating, and increased fatigue.
But keep in mind that this isn’t the case for everybody. Among the more severe PMS symptoms experienced by many women are:
- painful cramps
- weariness and sleeplessness
- profound emotional shifts (including depression symptoms)
These symptoms might severely disrupt everyday living.
Although premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common cause of emotional distress, it is not the only one. The following are some other potential causes:
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
The symptoms of PMDD are generally compared to those of PMS, although on a much more severe scale.
Symptoms are similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS); however, this disorder is far more distressing. While PMS can often be managed without medical intervention, PMDD almost always does.
At least five of the following symptoms, experienced by the patient throughout most of her periods over a year, are required for a medical expert to make a diagnosis:
- depression
- display of irritation and fury out of character
- shifts in attitude
- trouble Focusing
- a lack of enthusiasm for your routine
- emotions of utter helplessness or panic
- issues falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up at a normal time
- changes in appetite, such as decreased hunger or a desire to eat more
Symptoms in the body, such as:
- headache
- cramping
- bloating
- having soft breasts
Additional, potentially life-threatening signs of PMDD include:
- panic attacks
- anxiety
- suicidal ideation
- The process of contemplating ab
PMDD symptoms are more than just a lot to handle emotionally. Moreover, they frequently affect regular activities by:
- causing enough discomfort that you can’t face going to your routine (work or school).
- causing a loss of focus and concentration
- preventing you from doing everyday things
- producing friction or controversy in your relationships
Usually, these signs and symptoms appear a week or two before your period and subside once it starts.
Unless you already have an underlying mental health condition, PMDD does not typically cause mood symptoms between your period and ovulation.
Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME)
But what if your depression and other symptoms worsen before your period begins and don’t abate once it begins? Or do you experience them at other periods of your cycle outside the week or two preceding your period? You may have PME if this describes your situation.
Though PME might present similarly to PMDD, the two illnesses are distinct. Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME) is known to exacerbate preexisting disease symptoms.
Not only does this encompass mental health issues like depression, but also physical health issues such:
- asthma
- migraine
- anxiety
- acne
- an illness characterized by rapid mood swings
- syndrome of irritable bowel
- schizophrenia
- epilepsy
- problems with eating
Undiagnosed and untreated PME is expected since there has been relatively little study of the disease and its causes.
Knowing when your symptoms tend to worsen or improve will aid in a correct diagnosis, as it can be easily mistaken for the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
How it’s treated?
Know that you have choices for treatment if PMDD is negatively hurting your life.
Finding an effective treatment is difficult, but a therapist or other healthcare expert can help.
Therapy
Even if depression only manifests once a month, during menstruation, therapy can significantly affect your ability to manage these symptoms.
Counseling services can:
- impart helpful knowledge and methods for coping
- assist in determining and investigating the source(s) of your depression
- provide advice on dealing with anxiety and stress
Drugs and Vitamin Supplements
A therapist or other medical practitioner can recommend a psychiatrist who can prescribe antidepressants if you want to try medication first.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be helpful in treating the premenstrual dysphoric disorder, according to research published in 2011.
Factors such as your medical history and the source of your depression play a role in determining the medicine most beneficial to you.
Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more details about medications, such as birth control pills and other treatments that may help you. They can also provide advice on further treatment options, such as:
- dietary supplements, including vitamin B6, magnesium, and calcium
- evening primrose oil, black cohosh, and St. John’s wort are a few examples of herbal supplement
Coping Tips
Even if you take excellent care of yourself, you may not be able to completely prevent depressive feelings from returning or any other mood symptoms from appearing.
However, caring for yourself can change your outlook and boost your resilience. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few suggestions.
Movement and Exercise
Although exercise may be the last thing on your mind when dealing with the physical *and* emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it might help improve your mood.
If you don’t feel like working out intensely, try doing something for 30 minutes, such as:
- Walking
- Stretching
- Doing Yoga Exercises
Making exercise a regular part of your life has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including a positive effect on mood and sleep quality.
Relaxation
Reducing stress levels may help your symptoms, so making time for that is essential.
Some potential approaches are as follows:
- massage
- mental rehearsal
- journaling
- aromatherapy
- reducing tension in muscles gradually
- meditation
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Whatever the cause of your sadness, talking it out with a trusted friend or loved one will help.
Those closest to you can:
- hear you out
- make you feel less lonely
- provide help in locating a suitable therapist
- help you find ways to divert your attention away from a difficult situation
Sharing your struggles with depression or other mental health issues with loved ones can help them grasp the gravity of your situation. After all, many believe that PMS is the only cause of depression during menstruation.
Signing Off:
Mood swings during your period might have a variety of origins and symptoms, but they’re usually more complicated than “simply PMS.”
Almost of PMS mood symptoms might also be seen as depressive symptoms on their own.
Make an appointment with a therapist or doctor as soon as possible if your depression lasts beyond your period and worsens over time.
Want more help for premenstrual syndrome? The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) has a wealth of information, including a directory of doctors that treat PMDD, so anyone experiencing emotional or mental health issues around menstruation can get help.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
