How to deal with anxiety during periods?

Hey Julia!

It has been a long time since I wrote to you. I hope you are doing well?

I have been reading your recent blogs on health care issues. And I love the way you are coming up with solutions to so many health issues! So, I thought you could help me out with one of such problems I am facing. 

Recently, I have been facing a lot of problems with my periods. Like every other woman, those three to four days of the month are not easy for me! With constant pain from cramps and bloating, my physical and mental health worsens because of anxiety. Can you help me find out why I feel so anxious before my periods?

Love, Joe.

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Hi Joe,
Thank you for writing to me, and I will help you with this issue. I understand how periods can keep us on edge. Though we hear a lot about period cramps, we often overlook their bearings associated with our mental health. Anxiety is a definite symptom of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

But Joe, even today, researchers are unable to get down to its cause. We assume that anxiety may occur due to hormonal changes in the body. During the luteal phase of menstruation (after ovulation and ends after your periods), these reproductive hormones rise and fall dramatically in the human body. 

This imbalance of hormones affects the neurotransmitters in the human brain. It has an impact on the mood regulators of the body, dopamine, and serotonin. However, it is still not known how it affects but partly explains the symptoms of mood swings and anxiety during periods.

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What can you do about it?

Making a few living and diet changes can help lessen premenstrual anxiety and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. And let me tell you this – you have already started! Yes, being aware that your anxiety is because of the menstrual cycle will help you to deal with it in a better way. 

However, we have a list of things to do during your periods to keep a check of your anxiety:

1. Carry out regular Exercise
2. Adopt stress relaxation techniques
3. Get enough sleep
4. Maintain a well-balanced diet
5. Take adequate vitamins (calcium and vitamin B-6)

Following these tips can help you keep your anxiety at bay! But there are also some other things that you need to remember before getting your periods. Just a week before your periods, avoid consuming the following as they trigger PMS :

• Avoid taking Alcohol
• Consume less caffeine
• Avoid fatty foods
• Avoid excessive sugar in your diet

This is all that I have to share with you about anxiety and periods. Joe, I know it gets hard to deal with periods and all that comes along with it. But I really hope this blog will help you feel better during your periods.

Love, Julia!