If your period feels like more than just cramps and tampons - mood swings, random crying jags, or that feeling of “why is everything harder?” - you’re not just moody. PMS is trying to tell you something. This post breaks down what your body and brain might be saying when you get PMS, and how you can listen - not fight.
PMS Happens for a Reason (Not Just Because “You’re in a Mood”)
Before anything else: PMS (or sometimes, the more intense Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - PMDD) is real, common, and not your fault. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, most people who get periods experience some emotional or physical symptoms before they bleed.
So when your mood, energy, or motivation drops around period time - your body might be trying to tell you something. Let’s unpack that.
🔄 Hormone Fluctuations = Brain + Body Whirlwind
What’s happening: In the lead‑up to your period, hormone levels - especially oestrogen and progesterone - shift dramatically. That change can impact brain chemistry, according to this study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, which explores how hormonal fluctuations influence mood and cognitive function. Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital also highlight how these shifts are linked to PMS symptoms in adolescents.
What it might show up as: Mood swings, irritability, fatigue, hunger, breakouts, cravings, and low motivation - not just a “bad day,” but a predictable pattern tied to your cycle. Resources from the Mayo Clinic and NHS Inform outline the emotional and physical symptoms of PMS and how they present across the cycle.
Why it matters: For some people, these changes are mild. For others, they’re more serious. In extreme cases, PMS can become PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a condition that can significantly affect mental health and daily life. Both Johns Hopkins Medicine and Queensland Health recognise PMDD as a severe and underdiagnosed condition that deserves medical attention and care.
🧩 PMS & Mental Health - It’s More Common Than People Say
PMS doesn’t always show up on its own. Especially for teens, there’s growing evidence that cycles, emotional symptoms, and stress are deeply connected. A study published in PMC followed adolescent girls over time and found that those with higher levels of anxiety or depression early on were more likely to report more severe menstrual symptoms later.
That means if you’re feeling low, overwhelmed, or just “off” - even outside your period - your cycle might be part of the picture. And that’s okay to notice.
✅ What PMS Might Be Trying to Tell You - And What You Can Do About It
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Your body needs care, not judgment
If PMS knocks you sideways each month, it’s not “just hormones.” It’s a message: maybe slow down. Prioritise rest. Honour your energy. Don’t punish yourself for needing breaks. -
Routine helps (but not rigidly)
Things like regular sleep, balanced meals, gentle movement, and time outdoors give your body and brain support. They won’t cancel out PMS, but they can make the ride smoother. -
Track your cycle + mood (for real)
When do you feel your worst? What symptoms repeat? Tracking helps you plan and prep. This review in MDPI even links mood shifts during the cycle to changes in hormone and brain chemistry, especially during the luteal phase. -
Ask for help when you need it
If PMS feels bigger than “normal” - messing with your sleep, school, relationships - ask for support. PMDD is real. Mental health professionals can help, and organisations like the Mind the charity and National Association for Premensutrual Syndrome (NAPS) have lots of resources too.
Final Thoughts: PMS Isn't a Weakness - It's a Signal
PMS isn’t about “being dramatic.” It’s about being human. Your body’s talking. Maybe it’s tired, maybe it’s stressed, maybe it just needs more love.
And if your period feels like a monthly emotional storm - you don’t have to ride it out alone. You can listen, you can care, you can support yourself. And when PMS tries to scream: you’ve got options, you’ve got power.
Related post
Why Your Teen Might be More Anxious Around Their Period
Why do Periods Make me Feel Emotional?