Oh, Womanhood!
- The García Shenanigans
- Jun 7
- 3 min read
Let's talk about it.
Recently, I was chatting with a friend who kept expressing how tired and unhappy she felt. She shared that she often feels overwhelmed and notices a pattern where she'll be doing just fine for a while, and then suddenly finds herself feling anxious, irritable, emotional, and even a little depressed. Then she said, "It happens at least once a month."
As soon as she said that, a lightbulb moment went off in my head.
I laughed and said, "That sounds familiar!"
I experience those mood changes too. About once a month, usually arund my menstrual cycle, I notice changes in my mood, energy levels, emotional sensitivity, and irritability.
We both paused and started laughing.
She said, "So I'm ot crazy? There's nothing wrong with me mentally?"
I immediately responded, "No! You're as normal as can be."
The relief in her voice was almost instant.
Now, before we continue, let's be clear: not every emotional struggle is caused by hormones, and severe symptoms should never be ignored. However, many women experience emotional and physical changes throughout their menstrual cycle that are completely normal and often misunderstood.
I know many of us have experienced this at some point in our lives.
Once a month, our periods don't just bring physical discomfort, they can also bring emotional, mental, and mood-related chages as well.
So what causes these shifts in mood and behavior?
Let's take a look at some of the hormones involved and how they can influence how we feel.
The Hormones Behind the Mood
Estrogen- Plays an important role in mood regulation and is often associaed with feelings of well-being and emotional stability. When estrogen levels fluctuate, mood changes can occur.
Testosterone- Although often thought of as a male hormone, women produce testorerone too. It can help support energy levels, confidence, motivation, and libido. Changes in testosterone levels may influence mood and behavior.
Serotonin- is often called the "feel-good" chemical because it helps regulate mood, sleep, and emotional well-being. Lower serotonin levels may contribute to mood swings, irritability, sadness, and symptoms commonly associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), including bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness.
Cortisol- is known as the body's stress hormone. When cortisol levels remain elevated for long periods of time, feelings of stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm can increase. On the other hand, disruptions in cortisol regulation can also contribute to fatigue and low mood.
Dopamine- is associated with motivation, reward, pleasure, and satisfaction.
Fluctuations in dopamine levels can influence our drive, energy, focus, and emotional responses.
Oxytocin- aka the "love hormone", is associated with bonidng, connection, affection, and feelings of trust. It's the reason many of us crave closeness, comfort, and connection.
This YouTube video below gives a quick glance of what is happening to our bodies emotionally, mentally, and physically during our cycle.
What Psychology Teaches Us
From a psychological perspective, our emotions are influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Hormones are only one piece of the puzzle, but they play a significant role in how we experince stress, regulate emotions, and respond to life's daily challenges.
Understanding this connection doesn't mean we excuse unhealthy behaviors or dismiss emotional struggles. Rather, it helps us become more self-aware and compassionate with ourselves during seasons when we may be struggling more than usual.
So, What Does All of This Mean?
It means our bodies are incredibly complex and sometimes there is a biological explanation behind what we're feeling. It means that understanding our bodies can help us care for ourselves more effectively.
So no, you're not crazy.
No, you're not weak.
No, you're not a monster.
No, you're not overreacting.
And no, you're not alone.
Yes, you're probably about to get your period or you're already on it!
Yes, it only lasts a few days. (normally)
Hang in there, love. You're doing just fine.
If this resonates even a little with you, know this:
You are simply navigating one of the many realities of womanhood. And that deserves understanding, grace, and compassion.
When to Seek Professional Support
While hormonal changes are normal, severe symptoms are not something you should ignore. You know your body better than anyone else. Trust yoursrlf enough to seek support when something doesn't feel right. As women, our bodies continue to change throughout different seasons of life. Educating ourselves about those changes empowers11 1u1s to care for ourselves better, advocate for our health, and extend grace to ourselves along the way.
I love the video below by Dr. Taz as it provides a helpful overview of hormonal changes and their effects on our mental health.
After all, understading our bodies isn't just self-care, it's self respect.
Oh womanhood.
Beautiful, challenging, emotional, resilient, and uniquely ours.
Comments