Writing | Kat Nicholls Orginal artwork | Charlotte ReynellWhen it comes to our periods, most of us know about PMS. But, what
you might not realise is how much our cycle affects us mentally.
Here we take a closer look at the relationship between our
menstrual cycle and our mental healthA
notification from my
menstrual cycle tracking
app just popped up to
tell me ‘PMS is coming’.
While this may sound a
little ominous, it’s helpful to know. I’m
on day 26 of my cycle, and this week I’ve
felt my anxiety peak – something that
often happens in the days leading up to
my period.
Armed with this information, I know
I need to take things a little easier
over the next week or so. I can allow
anxiety to make itself known in my
body without judgement or fear, while
ramping up my self-care to manage it.
A couple of years ago, I didn’t know
anything about my cycle, apart from
the fact it brought a lot of pain, tears,
and chocolate cravings. It wasn’t until
I started tracking both my mood, and
my cycle, that I noticed the pattern of
anxiety spiking around the time of my
period. And I’m certainly not alone
with this.
Many of us will notice a change
in mood; we all differ in how
severely we’re affected – some
will barely notice a change, while
others find themselves battling with
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
(PMDD, a condition that causes severe
depression, anxiety, and even suicidal
thoughts, around the time of your
period).
Before we explore the mental
health side of things, it’s important to
understand the different phases of
our cycle:Menstruation
This is when we get our period. Many
people will notice a change in their
energy levels, feeling more tired than
usual, and withdrawn. The first few
days of your period may involve painful
cramps, and a general desire to hide
under a duvet clutching a hot water
bottle and a family-sized bar of Dairy
Milk – just me?
Around halfway through the period,
oestrogen levels rise and our mood
lifts. We start to feel more ‘us’, and pain
generally eases.Follicular phase
After menstruation, our oestrogen and
testosterone levels rise, and our mood
stabilises. Generally, at this point, you
should feel calm, and as if all is right
with the world.Ovulation
When we start to ovulate, our
testosterone levels spike, which gives
us an increased sex drive. As well as
feeling in the mood for love, you should
feel more confident. By the end of the
ovulation phase, your oestrogen and
testosterone levels will drop. This can
make you feel tired and you may notice
PMS-like symptoms.Luteal phase
If you experience PMS, this will be
the week you’ll feel it. This is down to
low levels of oestrogen. The hormone
changes that take place throughout our
cycles lead to the shifts in our mood. >>>G
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August 2019 • happiful.com • 45