Do you ever get those mood swings where you feel really good one minute and bad the next? You're not alone. Many women experience a change in mood during their menstrual cycle. Whether it's feeling more irritable, sad, or angry than usual, these period mood swings can be pretty disruptive. But what causes them, and is there anything you can do to help? Read on to find out.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, is a complex condition that can cause various physical and emotional symptoms. Although the exact cause of PMS is still unknown, it is thought to be related to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle.
For most women, PMS occurs in the days leading up to menstruation and resolves within a few days after bleeding begins. However, some women experience more severe symptoms that can interfere with their daily lives. Common symptoms of PMS include:
- bloating
- cramps
- breast tenderness
- fatigue
- irritability
- and mood swings
While many women experience some of these symptoms before their period, women with PMS often report that these symptoms are more intense and disruptive.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing PMS, but there are a variety of treatments that can help to relieve symptoms. These include over-the-counter medications, dietary changes, and exercise. If you're concerned about your symptoms, talk to your doctor about the best way to manage them.
What Causes PMS Mood Swings?
There's no one answer to the question of what causes PMS because every woman experiences the condition differently. However, some possible explanations exist for why some women experience premenstrual syndrome while others do not.
One theory is that hormonal fluctuations cause PMS. This may explain why PMS symptoms tend to appear in the days leading up to a woman's period when hormone levels are changing.
Another possibility is that PMS is a reaction to stress. This may explain why some women symptoms worsen during intense stress, such as during exams or at work.
Finally, it's also possible that diet and lifestyle choices play a role in causing PMS. For example, women who eat a lot of processed foods or don't get enough exercise may more likely suffer from premenstrual syndrome.
While the exact cause of PMS remains unknown, understanding the possible causes can help women to manage their symptoms and get through the monthly blues.
Tips to Help Manage PMS Mood Swings
Have you ever experienced those crazy mood swings right before your period? The ones where you feel like you're going insane for no reason? Feeling out of control during PMS is normal, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. There are things you can do to help manage your moods and feel more like yourself again. Keep reading for tips on managing PMS mood swings.
Keep track of your symptoms:
For most women, PMS is a fact of life. But while the symptoms of PMS are generally well-known (irritability, bloating, fatigue, and cramps), the exact cause remains a mystery, as previously stated. However, recent studies suggest that keeping track of your PMS symptoms may help you overcome the condition.
For example, if you notice that your PMS symptoms are worse when you eat certain foods or drink alcohol, you can change your diet to improve your condition. Similarly, if you find that exercise helps to ease your symptoms, you can make sure to schedule regular workouts during the month.
Of course, tracking your PMS symptoms is not a cure for the condition. But by giving you a better understanding of how PMS affects your body, it can help you to find ways to reduce the severity of your symptoms and regain control of your life.
Try Natural remedies:
PMS mood swings can be debilitating, frustrating, and downright infuriating. But what can we do about them? Are they simply a part of our monthly cycle that we must endure? Or is there something we can do to lessen their impact on our lives? Let’s take a look at some natural remedies for PMS mood swings. Read on to learn more.
Magnesium:
A lack of magnesium has also been linked to PMS mood swings. Magnesium is a mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle and nerve function, energy production, and blood sugar regulation. Studies have shown that magnesium supplements can help to reduce the frequency and severity of PMS symptoms, including mood swings. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, magnesium may be a safe and effective treatment for PMS mood swings.
Calcium:
Calcium helps regulate the serotonin level in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation. A lack of calcium can lead to a decrease in serotonin levels, which can trigger PMS mood swings. In addition, calcium helps to reduce inflammation and build strong bones, which can help reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. As a result, calcium is an essential nutrient for women who suffer from PMS mood swings.
Many foods are good calcium sources. They include:
- Veggies (leafy green)
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Cereal
You should note that while there are numerous effective calcium supplements on the market, it always takes time for body to adjust itself to raising levels of nutrients.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also effective in relieving mood swings during periods. You can get Vitamin B6 from the foods below:
- Fruits
- Turkey and Chicken
- Fish
- Fortified cereals
You can also use Vitamin B6 supplements if you need to increase your intake. However, you should be careful about recommended dietary allowances for such vitamins.
A note on taking vitamin supplements: Vitamins are essential for main body functions. However, It is always suggested to consult a healthcare professional if you consider taking vitamin supplements.
You can also keep track of your Vitamin levels with Vivoo’s at-home urine test. It tracks your body’s 9 wellness parameters, like Vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, and many more, so that you can listen to your body’s voice and better engage with PMS mood swings.
Chastaberry
Chasteberry has been shown to effectively reduce the symptoms of PMS, including mood swings. In a study, women who took chasteberry supplements for three months reported a significant decrease in PMS symptoms, including mood swings. The active ingredient in chasteberry, agnus castus, has been shown to have a positive effect on the levels of hormones involved in PMS. If you suffer from PMS mood swings, talk to your doctor to see if chasteberry supplements could be right for you.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a plant in the daisy family that has traditionally been used to treat various ailments. The exact mechanism by which chamomile works to relieve PMS symptoms is unknown, but it is thought to have a soothing effect on the nervous system. In a study, women who drank chamomile tea for two weeks experienced a significant reduction in PMS symptoms. If you suffer from PMS mood swings, try drinking a cup of chamomile tea daily. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Read more: What You Should Eat While on Your Period?
Build healthy lifestyle choices
PMS mood swings can worsen as a result of how you live your life. Your habits and lifestyle choices can also influence PMS symptoms. Building healthy lifestyle choices will help ease PMS mood swings and also improve your overall well-being.
Exercising: Ditch the sedentary lifestyle and engage in 30 minutes of physical activity daily. A mere evening walk around your home can help alleviate feelings of sadness and anxiety.
Diet: Eat natural and healthy foods. Your mood is connected to what you eat. Eating too much fat, salt, and sugar negatively affects your mood. Try to eat more fruits, veggies, and the like.
Read more:
- Guide to Building a Balanced Plate Overview – Healthy Eating Plate
- How to Build Healthy Eating Habits?
Sleep: PMS mood swings can get quite worse when you don’t get enough sleep. It can also lower your mood, especially if your period is about to begin. Be sure to get up to 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night, especially a few weeks before your period.
Stress: Over-exertion can also worsen period mood swings, especially if it goes unmanaged. You could practice deep breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation to calm your body and mind. Ensure you always do this whenever you are coming down with PMS mood swings or other related symptoms.
Final Thoughts
So, the next time you're feeling a little off during your PMS, remember that there are ways to deal with them and make the days leading up to your period a little more bearable. Comment below and let us know what works for you during PMS.
About Vivoo
Do you need to get ready for your next PMS? Vivoo is here to help. It is an at-home urine test that tracks your body’s wellness based on 9 wellness parameters, like Magnesium, Calcium, Hydration, Oxidative Stress, and many more, to provide personalized nutritional and lifestyle advice. It’s also quick and easy to use, with results in just 90 seconds! That means you can finally take charge of your overall health. Let’s take a closer look at what Vivoo’s YOU-centered wellness platform offers:
- Real-Time Body Data: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium, Hydration, Ketone, Sodium, pH, Oxidative Stress, and Protein. through an at-home urine test
- 5,000+ Personalized Advice: Get personalized nutritional and lifestyle advice prepared by dietitians, nutritionists, and doctors.
- Wearable Integration: Sync your wearable data to track your Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate.
- Personalized Supplements: Order personalized supplements based on your Vivoo test results.
- 300+ Wellness Articles: Access to blog articles on trendy wellness topics.
Little reminder about how to use Vivoo during your period
When using the Vivoo test during your period, it is recommended to avoid using the first stream of urine when urinating due to the potential high red blood cell count which might affect your results. Be sure to urinate on the colored boxes at mid-stream or after urinating for a couple of seconds.
