Many women experience mood swings, irritability, and anxiety before and during their menstrual cycle. While the causes are not fully understood, it is thought that hormonal changes play a significant role in how some women feel emotionally during their period. This article explores how PMS can affect mood, its symptoms, and offers practical tips to help manage these changes more effectively.

Menstrual Mood Switch

Women may feel emotionally sensitive or moody for a variety of reasons during menstruation. For some, it's the fear of the unknown—anticipating discomfort, pain, and other symptoms associated with their period. The physical symptoms of menstruation, such as bloating, cramps, and fatigue, can add to the stress and anxiety, making the days leading up to and during the period particularly challenging.

Premenstrual symptoms like headaches, irritability, and exhaustion can contribute to feelings of nervousness. Specialists suggest these symptoms are mainly due to hormonal shifts in the body. However, it’s important to note that PMS is not yet fully understood by the medical community.

What is PMS?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms typically increase in severity during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle—the period between ovulation and the onset of menstruation. Women experiencing PMS may feel increased levels of anger, irritability, and emotional sensitivity.

In fact, PMS can significantly impact a woman's daily life. It can cause mood swings, fatigue, bloating, and cramps. While about 90% of women experience only mild premenstrual symptoms, around 20% experience symptoms severe enough to interfere with their routine activities.

"More than 40 million women around the world experience these symptoms. While about 90% of women experience only mild premenstrual symptoms, about 20% have to cope with symptoms that severely disrupt their daily lives."
Source: NCBI.

Remedies for Premenstrual Syndrome

If you’re looking to ease PMS symptoms, consider trying the following remedies:

• Exercise: Regular physical activity can alleviate stress and improve mood. It can also help reduce bloating and cramps.
• Relaxation Techniques: Practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help lower stress levels and relieve PMS symptoms.
• Diet: Maintaining a balanced diet can help manage symptoms. Reducing your intake of salt, caffeine, and alcohol can further alleviate bloating, cramps, and irritability.
• Supplements: Calcium and vitamin B6 have shown effectiveness in reducing PMS symptoms.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relief and prescription medications can help manage more severe symptoms.
• Menstrual Cup: Studies suggest that menstrual cups can reduce period pain, as they may apply gentle pressure to vaginal muscles, leading to milder contractions. Read more about menstrual cups.
• Heat Therapy: A traditional remedy is applying a hot water bottle to relieve cramps. A more modern alternative is the Femi.Eko Menstrual Pain Relief Belt, which uses patented nano-tube heating technology to improve circulation and relax muscles. It's versatile enough to be used for back pain, muscle cramps, and post-injury recovery.

Other Recommendations for Managing Nervousness During Menstruation

A 2019 study notes that while there is not yet definitive evidence linking PMS with anger, women who typically control their anger well may find this ability decreases during their premenstrual phase. For those struggling with heightened irritability or nervousness, professional guidance from a doctor can be valuable.

If you're facing anxiety or depression related to PMS, counseling, therapy, or even medication could provide relief. Seeking professional help is key to finding an effective treatment tailored to your needs.