7 Unexpected Ways Your Mental Health & Menstrual Cycle Are In Sync

The relationship between the menstrual cycle and mental health is fascinating. Where PMS-related mental health issues like anxiety and low mood were once seen as things to keep to yourself, now there’s better understanding of how these two huge parts of life are linked, and there’s a lot more to learn. Here are just a few of the ways your mental health and hormones are connected, and why it’s so important to understand your own cycle and the emotions it causes. Here we go… 

Yes, your hormones affect your brain 

When you ovulate, the hormones estrogen and progesterone rise and eventually peak, then fall again during the luteal phase. Then the rollercoaster climbs up again with a second spike, this time of progesterone, then drops again. All this rising and falling affects the neurotransmitters in your brain - serotonin and dopamine - which are responsible for your mood, how well you sleep, and your energy levels. When these neurotransmitters dip, you may experience low mood, sleep issues, anger and anxiety.  

Your cycle can give you BIG dreams and nightmares 

Yup, those weird dreams where you’re in the supermarket in your underwear with a meerkat on a leash being chased by an axe-wielding Judi Dench and… well, you know the ones. Whatever goes on in those sometimes bizarre, sometimes scary dreams, it’s often just hormones messing with your head. 

You may struggle to get deep sleep at certain points in your cycle due to fluctuations in progesterone. When you have more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, you’re in a deep sleep and less likely to remember dreams, but when REM sleep is disrupted, you may recall dreams more often. 

Your cravings are down to hormones 

PMS tends to have us craving certain foods, but we often forget the culprit in the moment, blinded by the intense desire to get our hands on a snack. It’s worth keeping in mind that you may experience food cravings throughout your cycle, but don’t neglect the nutrients that your body needs in order to transport hormones. 

Vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6 and magnesium help curb PMS symptoms, including the emotional ones, so pay attention to what you eat, and enjoy a healthy balance between what your body needs and what your mind craves, to ensure you have everything required to function and feel good. 

Your tummy issues could be related, too

Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is often thought of as a mild affliction, but anyone who suffers from it knows it can be incredibly stressful. In fact, studies have found IBS can lead to ‘significant psychological distress’ and cause high levels of anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. 

Research has found IBS can worsen alongside PMS and other stages of the menstrual cycle, creating even more problems; first your period causes your mental health to wobble, then your anxiety comes on strong as a result, which manifests as IBS, and aggravates your PMS and vice versa. Yikes! Remember you never need to put up with anything that has a negative impact on your life, so speak to your doctor for ways to improve your situation. 

Stress levels can affect your menstruation 

It’s come to light in recent years how much damage stress can do to our bodies without us even realising. Stress can cause periods to become irregular, or more painful, with studies finding a correlation between stress and dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual cramps). Those with high levels of stress are twice as likely to experience this. 

Studies have also found a link between those with stressful jobs and irregular menstruation. But why? It’s thought the body shuts down unnecessary functions when stressed, and therefore stops ovulating because it assumes we don’t need to conceive right now. Clever, but often more stressful if you are trying to get pregnant. 

Your menopause journey will affect your mental health, and vice versa 

Menopause and perimenopause bring with them mental health changes that occur alongside the physical ones. As your body starts to change, this can bring on feelings of depression, and those who have struggled with depression in the past may find it reoccurs around this stage of life. One study found people with a history of depression could experience perimenopause earlier due to lower estrogen levels. 

Menopause can even exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as people with these conditions are thought to be more sensitive to hormonal shifts. That’s not to say you should worry if you are approaching menopause; just be aware of the potential for negative emotions to arise so you can speak to your GP if you need to. 

Tracking your cycle is a great way to support your mental health 

Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, and the more info you have about your own cycle, the more you can predict what your mental health will look like each month, and plan ahead to accommodate. It’s also a great reminder to be gentle with yourself!

Tracking your cycle can help with everything from pinpointing peak energy for workouts, to asking for a raise at work when you feel most confident. It’s super useful, and you don’t need to invest in expensive tech to do it. A simple daily diary will allow you to write down any PMS symptoms, emotions, energy levels, and anything else you need to track.

Got a question about how your menstrual cycle and mental health are related? We’re all ears over at our Full Stop FB group, or you can reach out directly on Insta at @itsyoppie. Don't forget that our personalised menstrual care subscription can get organic tampons, PMS supplements and much more delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox, which is one big load off your mind each cycle.