Who doesn’t like a good mood swing every now and then? One moment you’re happily singing in the shower, the next you feel like smashing everything around you. Like a rollercoaster ride, your hormones take your emotions on one wild journey during menstruation. Here’s what we know about why those pesky mood swings happen.

Hormones are to Blame

Everything begins with our menstrual cycle-specifically, the hormonal shifts that occur during this time.

Estrogen Levels Fluctuate

Estrogen, often known as the “female hormone,” is essential for regulating ovulation and maintaining bone density. Did you know it also influences your moods?

During your period, estrogen levels plummet quickly before returning to normal halfway through because women need something else to deal with rather than just bleeding from their privates.

Progesterone Takes Over

As if dealing with plunging estrogen levels was not enough fun already, progesterone joins in when ovulation happens right after menstruation stops. Its job includes preparing the uterus for implantation under ideal circumstances (sorry guys), which explains why progesterone is sometimes referred to as “the pregnancy hormone.”

When progesterone levels rise dramatically post-ovulation, they cause changes that may affect how connections operate between specific brain regions related to emotion regulation or playing air guitar.

How Do These Hormones Directly Affect Your Emotions?

As previously said, these fluctuating hormones can impact various aspects of our life- including thoughts and feelings – via intricate mechanisms connected with numerous stress-related processes within our bodies.

Serotonin Takes After Estrogen Fluctuations

Without getting too complex biochemical nomenclaturey: Reduced activity of serotonin (chemicals/neurotransmitters) – one element implicated in depression – has been observed following decreases in amounts of circulating estrogens such as what happens during that special time of the month.

Cortisol Levels Also Might Be Related

Declining estrogen levels have also been linked to increases in cortisol production, better known as our body’s stress hormone.

Higher cortisol levels can cause fatigue and anxiety by interfering with sleep patterns when combined with other factors like period-related bloating / pizza craving episodes.

Other Possible Contributing Factors to Mood Swings

While periods’ hormonal fluctuations are ultimately the determining variable for this change in your mood and behavior, there are a few more elements worth considering:

Vitamin Deficiencies

B vitamins – such as pyridoxine (B6) or riboflavin (B2)-have been demonstrated to play an essential role in regulating moods. In some instances, women may require additional supplements under their provider’s guidance since these nutrients might not be consumed enough through food sources only!

Social Context Matters Too

Modern culture often compels us always to feel happy being productive outstanding human beings at work or home. However, let’s face it; life is unpredictable! Social impact and expectations can add further pressure atop what already exists due to internal biological forces—that explains why crying while watching The Notebook isn’t something we must apologize for all the time- but maybe dont do it if you’re sitting on public transport)

Sometimes just dealing with excess menstrual cramps without societal obligations weighing on us would be nice too…

Can We Control Our Mood Swings?

Sadly no! Hormones ride roughshod over intentions sometimes as much food controls our bowel movement frequencyessstss). Just remember: everything will pass eventually-even those funky attitude swings during menstruation yuh-huh. Rather than stressing yourself trying to figure out how/why you feel a particular way — embrace it—be one of those quirky moody period people…its 2019 bitchs!

Note: If you suffer from severe depression-like symptoms during menstruation or feel genuinely unable to function, please consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.