How Your Period Affects Your Mind: What You Need to Know.

It is unbelievable that science is only now starting to understand and investigate more about menstruation. It does not shock me, considering the poor attention women’s health has received from male researchers and scientists over the centuries. Women are almost three times more likely to experience common mental health issues than men, especially during their reproductive years. Hormonal changes and menstrual symptoms have a complex relationship with mental health. Unfortunately, this connection is not well-studied, leaving many women without adequate support and treatment options.

Stigma and insufficient awareness about what is 'normal' lead to menstrual disorders being frequently under-reported and misdiagnosed. The monthly cycle can profoundly affect both mind and body, but this has been downplayed for centuries. The most troubling aspect is that women have not received any psychological or medical support during these times of stress and discomfort.

Recognising the Link Between Menstrual and Mental Health

Apart from the recognition of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), only recently have some researchers worldwide started to look more into the link between mental health and periods. They have discovered that many women experience a massive amount of stress and pain during their monthly periods, and these symptoms affect their quality of life and personal relationships.

Strong evidence indicates that during specific phases of the menstrual cycle, there is an increase in psychosis, mania, depression, suicide attempts, and alcohol use. For example, anxiety, stress, and binge eating appear to be elevated more generally throughout the luteal phase. Most of these mental health issues occur due to the hormonal fluctuations that happen during the menstrual cycle.

Monthly cycle

The menstrual cycle is characterised by recurrent fluctuations in hormones, namely, the ovarian hormones oestrogen and progesterone. The cycle is separated into two distinct phases: the follicular phase, which lasts about 14 days from menstruation to ovulation, and the luteal phase, which consistently lasts 14 days from ovulation leading up to menstruation. Unfortunately, these fluctuations vary during a woman’s life, creating serious health issues. Often, hormonal shifts significantly impact women's responses to life, work, and study, altering their cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses.

This cyclic experience may influence women’s mental health through a variety of mechanisms, including biological and behavioural impacts due to physical discomfort. Some of the biological mechanisms that affect women during the period include the change of oestrogen levels. Oestrogen is important in downregulating dopamine transmission, protecting against psychiatric symptoms, and assisting in memory consolidation. Physical discomfort during menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea, breast tenderness, and joint pain, can be associated with increased psychological distress and irritability, and decreased self-esteem. Many women additionally report increased interpersonal conflicts and reduced social engagement before and during menstruation, which may contribute to depression and isolation.

Research is Crucial

It is crucial to continue researching the link between menstrual health and mental well-being to provide better support and treatment for women. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring women have access to appropriate medical and psychological care. By recognising and validating the impact of the menstrual cycle on mental health, we can begin to offer the support that has been lacking for far too long.

Understanding and acknowledging the profound impact of hormonal fluctuations on mental health is a step towards a more comprehensive approach to women’s health. In a society that expects women to fully integrate and be productive, it is inconceivable that inadequate research neglects the significant impact that periods have on women's quality of life. By addressing this issue through continued research and heightened awareness, we can aspire to a future where women receive the necessary care and support to effectively manage both their menstrual and mental health.

Sources: 

Zaka M, Mahmood KT. Pre-menstrual syndrome—a review.

Brock R, Rowse G, Slade P. Relationships between paranoid thinking, self-esteem and the menstrual cycle.  Arch Womens Ment Health 

Ross’s study –  American Journal of Psychiatry

A.B. Handy, S.F. Greenfield: Psychiatric Symptoms Across the Menstrual Cycle in Adult Women: A Comprehensive Review