Is there really such a thing as period depression ? Is suffering from mood swings during menstruation normal and common?
If those are your questions, then below you will find out all the reasons for mood swings during the menstrual cycle and how to resist them.
Diagnosis
As a result of the constant hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle , a girl or woman experiences a range of psychological and emotional changes, both positive and negative. The negative changes that precede the menstrual cycle are called PMS or premenstrual syndrome .
A girl's condition varies from day to day depending on the stage she is going through in her menstrual cycle , due to the different levels of hormones in each stage. Accordingly, fluctuations in psychological state during the menstrual cycle, before its arrival and even after its end, occur as follows:
The levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease starting from the stage of non-fertilization of the egg, which leads to some mood swings and feelings of distress.
- Disruption of serotonin levels, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain, known as the "happiness hormone," results in a disturbance in overall mood.
- Estrogen levels rise again after the first few days of the menstrual cycle , resulting in a feeling of renewed energy.
- Feeling some positive emotions when reaching the ovulation stage, unlike the days of the menstrual cycle itself.
- Then, when the menstrual period approaches again, i.e., a week or 10 days before it starts, some negative symptoms reappear as a result of the previously mentioned decrease in hormones.
In summary, PMS symptoms appear as a result of serotonin imbalance and a decrease in estrogen in particular. Then, when the menstrual cycle ends and hormones rise again, the psychological state improves naturally and safely.
Psychological fluctuations can be severe and may even lead to feelings of depression and stress syndrome. Therefore, women need special treatment during this time, especially those who suffer from symptoms of depression on ordinary days.
There are also some other reasons that lead to mood swings during that period, which are:
- The presence of a genetic factor.
- Experiencing pain and cramps without improvement leads to nervousness and irritability.
- Other external factors, such as a hard day at work or a busy school day, can cause a girl to feel stressed more quickly during her menstrual period , even if she is subjected to relatively normal daily stresses.
Symptoms
The symptoms before the onset of menstruation, even in the first few days, can be divided into the following:
- Feeling distressed, angry, and easily agitated.
- The urge to cry with hypersensitivity.
- Feeling stressed and anxious most of the time.
- Loss of interest in any physical activity.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Sleep disorder.
- Depression.
How to cope with mood swings during menstruation?
- Make sure to eat foods rich in important nutrients, especially calcium, vitamin B6 and B12, because of their positive effect on mood.
- Get some rest and spend the day at home if possible, watching a great movie or reading a book.
- Divide meals evenly throughout the day to avoid blood sugar imbalances and increased stress.
- Try to get enough sleep and prepare the room in terms of lighting and quiet, in addition to using perfume.
- Stay away from everything that causes you stress, whether it's people, sounds, or places.
- Avoid feeling thirsty altogether, and make sure to drink plenty of water.
- Do very light exercise such as walking along with relaxation exercises.
- Avoid consuming soft drinks and caffeine completely.
When should you visit a doctor?
- If your psychological state causes you to become completely isolated and this continues after the first few days of your menstrual cycle .
- If your mental state changes suddenly and without any improvement even after the end of your menstrual cycle.
- When suffering from depression in general, to find out the best prevention methods that are suitable for you.