Is my cycle to blame for my mood swings?

Our mood and self-confidence are affected by the ups and downs of our hormones over the course of our menstrual cycle. But does that mean we are at the mercy of our hormones? Our hormones can have a huge impact on our mood, but even so, they are also just one factor that affects our mood and how we feel. There are many other factors that affect how we feel, for example, hunger, stress, medications, how well or poorly we sleep, illness, pain, starting a new job, falling in love, heartbreak, and so on. But let’s get back to our hormones for a second: The hormone estrogen affects the release of serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine in our brain. For this reason, estrogen is indirectly responsible for our happy feelings. This is because serotonin ensures a good mood and a balanced state of mind. Is it a must then that the female cycle is accompanied by mood swings? Many women see the second cycle phase as the time in the cycle when they simply have to endure mood swings and depressive episodes. Energy levels drop and this cycle phase is naturally dominated by the hormone progesterone. This hormone causes us to want to spend more time at home, feel less active, and also not seek social interactions as much.

People who struggle with PMS often feel exhausted, restless, insecure, depressed, irritable and/or angry before and at the start of their period. Struggling to focus and mood swings are also not uncommon. Yes, it can sometimes even feel as if you are losing control of your own body and emotions.

When your period starts, estrogen levels are at their lowest. Then, over the course of the first week in the cycle, estrogen slowly increases. Depending on how sensitive you are to the rise in estrogen, your mood, self-confidence and overall feeling of optimism may start to rise just a few hours after your period begins. However, it can take a few days for this hormone-induced feeling of ‘happiness’ to kick in. Most women notice a significant improvement in their mood in the middle of the first week of their cycle, around day 4.

At the beginning of the cycle, everything is about rebuilding and growth, as the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The lining of the uterus rebuilds after having been previously shed during your period. This is triggered by the increase in estrogen, which stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine. We experience this time in the cycle as a phase of creativity and feel upbeat and full of energy. We feel very comfortable in our bodies, as the rising estrogen also affects our self-confidence. Now is the perfect time to make new plans, important decisions and go for your goals. For most people, the second week in the cycle is the time when the feeling of happiness reaches its peak. This means that we are more inclined to feel cheerful, confident and optimistic. In addition, you’re more likely to bounce back from setbacks faster because high estrogen levels increase our resilience and flexibility.

Please note: If you’re sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, the surge in estrogen may make you feel nervous or anxious.

Many women experience their absolute mood peak at the time of ovulation. On the one hand, in relation to their libido, which gets a boost by the release of testosterone at this time. On the other hand, because we feel particularly attractive and self-confident due to high estrogen levels. We also appear particularly attractive and self-confident to other people during this time. So what about when ovulation is over? After the high, many women, unfortunately, experience a low. Energy levels decline and mood swings can occur, triggered by hormonal fluctuations.

Shortly after ovulation, estrogen drops sharply. As a result, mood-boosting substances in the brain also decrease, which can lead to feeling upset, frustrated or anxious. At the same time, the calming hormone progesterone increases during this time in the cycle, dominating the second half of the cycle. Depending on how sensitive you react to hormonal fluctuations, you may feel grumpy, sad or whiny. When estrogen rises again slightly during the second half of the cycle, the feeling of anxiety that you may have experienced shortly after ovulation usually disappears. Because progesterone rises along with estrogen, you probably won’t experience the exuberant joy and confidence you felt during the second week of the cycle. Ideally, you’ll feel something that resembles a gentle calm and serenity during this time. It’s no secret that the days leading up to your period can feel like it’s going downhill emotionally. You may feel moody, irritable, sad, tearful, pessimistic and/or cynical. This is because estrogen steadily decreases during this last phase of the cycle, and with it, levels of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. How frequently or intensely negative feelings arise during this time can depend on many factors:

 

• your body’s sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations
• how much (good) sleep you get
• how regular and nutritious your meals are
• how much stress you have
• whether you are ill
• in pain
• and/or are taking medication

 

The healthier your lifestyle – regular exercise & a healthy diet in sync with your cycle, seven to eight hours of sleep per night, reduced stress – the better your mood is usually before and during your period. To prevent this phase from becoming a recurring negative experience, we must learn to value and accept it. You are allowed (and encouraged) to slow down a bit during this time, to withdraw, to actively stand up for your needs and to reflect.