Let’s Talk About Period Moods

It’s a crazy, monthly, menstrual journey: the emotional ups and downs, the depressive episodes, and the lethargic energies. Here’s how—and why—women should take it easy.

By Patti Sunio

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Women are emotional, they say. Maybe she’s on her period, they say.

Truth be told, such comments used to be said in the negative. It’s often said in jest, or snarkily, or, consciously or not, as a way to diminish a woman and her feelings. In this day and age, however, society has somewhat evolved and have started to recognize and accept that expressing oneself and being moody while on our period is, well, normal.

To be more precise: Yes, women are perceived to be more emotional, but in the sense that they express their emotions rather freely (compared to men, it seems, often due to society expectations and upbringing). And yes, a woman being on their period—and being emotional—is a serious consideration.

Women who’ve gotten through hundreds of periods in their lifetime know this. But for the uninitiated, do know that being on one’s period can trigger many things that go beyond having to catch all the blood—neatly—in a pad. Women get migraines and cramps and pains. They get acne and oily hair. They get a fuzzy brain. On the emotional front, depending on where they are in their period cycle, they can feel sad and depressed, feel low and demotivated, and feel irritable and not in the mood.

Moody days and menstrual challenges happen to the best of them. Heart Evangelista, Filipino actress and global fashion icon, for instance, is a woman who’s hardworking, tireless, and ‘always on’. But she, too, is not susceptible to the period inconveniences. The celebrity ambassador of menstrual products brand Kotex also reveals that fashion week, one of the busiest seasons for her, falls on days when she’s on her period. Her advice? “Take it one day at a time, and don’t pressure yourself.”

Know What’s Happening

For years, doctors and experts have tried to decode the direct relation of the menstrual cycle—and the hormonal changes it triggers—on women’s bodies, their moods, and everything in between.

“The mentally fuzzy feeling is likely due to all of the significant changes in hormones, neurotransmitters, and insulin levels that happen during your menstrual cycle,” notes a report on SELF.com on menses and brain fog. In other words, all the changes that are happening internally aren’t to be taken lightly.

Most women are aware of PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome, and its most common symptoms: bloating, mood swings, cravings, fatigue, and irritability. It’s common for women to have PMS, and usually, symptoms can be managed by lifestyle changes or, at times, medication. An extreme version of PMS, however, is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, which, as SELF.com puts it, “is like PMS on debilitating overdrive.” It makes a woman on her period feel immensely low and lethargic—so much that she is unable to function and perform her daily tasks.

In a perspective piece for mental health journal IDONTMIND, a writer notes how the mental struggles that come with one’s menstrual health is often minimized. She questions why people downplay menstruation and mental health and urges readers to have more healthy conversations around it.

Get the Support You Need

In the Philippines, women’s healthcare platforms such as Kindred, have taken big strides in helping destigmatize conversations on women’s health and the reproductive system. Dr. Issa Matibag, a board-certified OBGYN at Kindred, shares a common misconception that shouldn’t be the norm: “[In some cases], menstrual leaves are viewed as a “free pass” from work instead of looking at it as a health break or a chance to seek medical consultation.”

Thankfully, we live in a time when women can now take a more active role in seeking professional advice and choosing products that work for them. The OBGYN consultations at Kindred, for example, are made more accessible by allowing both in-person and online appointments and at reasonable prices, too.

And it doesn’t stop with women. Male family members, partners, and even managers or bosses who may not be well-informed can help support women by educating themselves. Imagine dealing with the bodily changes that’s going on inside and having to get through the mental and emotional highs and lows at the same time.

“Simple gestures like buying their favorite food, giving them a massage, or helping out in chores can make a difference,” Dr. Matibag shares. “It’s the little things that matter during red days.”

It’s not just a phase

A keen awareness of one’s body is key to managing symptoms and determining if professional help is needed to address menstrual-related issues. “Knowing your body and how it feels during certain phases in the monthly menstrual cycle is a good way to be able to manage any symptoms you come across,” says Dr. Issa Matibag.

“As [women] go through the different cycles, there are key hormones that rise and fall [and this can greatly affect one’s mood],” she adds. Below, she shares what happens throughout the cycle and discusses the changes you can expect.

Menstrual Phase

The first day of your period marks the start of your menstrual cycle. During this time, the lining of your uterus sheds and leaves your body as your period. Hormone levels, such as that of estrogen and progesterone, are low, which can make you feel sluggish and fatigued.

Follicular phase (ovary) / Proliferative phase (endometrium)

The follicular phase is called such because it’s when follicle-stimulating hormones increase in the ovary. Only one dominant follicle will be selected to release an egg during ovulation.

At the same time, the proliferative phase is when the hormone estrogen starts the re-growth of the endometrium. At this point, estrogen levels rise. The proliferation or the thickening of the endometrium happens to prepare the body for a possible pregnancy.

“During this phase, the key hormones that rise are the follicle-stimulating hormone and estrogen, and this is the phase where you feel like you have a lot of energy and are generally happier,” says Dr. Matibag.

Ovulation

Approximately mid-cycle, the luteinizing hormone will spike, signaling the dominant follicle to release the egg cell. The egg cell will only live for around 12 to 24 hours, which is the only window that a female can get pregnant. “During ovulation, the additional spike in the luteinizing hormone may increase your sex drive, along with estrogen,” Dr. Matibag points out.

Luteal phase (ovary) / Secretory phase (endometrium)

“After ovulation, estrogen levels will fall while progesterone levels will increase during the luteal phase,” she adds. “Progesterone may make you feel a bit bloated, fatigued, and more prone to oily scalps and acne breakouts.”

After releasing the egg cell after ovulation, the follicle will shrivel into a structure called the corpus luteum, which then produces the hormone progesterone. If the egg is fertilized during the ovulation phase, this hormone will help support the pregnancy (hence, its name, pro-gestation).

If the egg is not fertilized, both progesterone and estrogen will decrease, signaling the endometrium to break down and shed, starting the cycle all over again.

“As both estrogen and progesterone fall before the next cycle starts, you may feel more moody and emotional, lethargic, and experience symptoms of PMS,” she concludes.

Care and Comfort

In addition to seeking medical help to address period concerns, finding the right menstruation products that’ll put you at ease and give you comfort makes a huge difference, too. It’s one less thing to worry about!

To date, there are a plethora of menstrual products available at our disposal, from period undies and cups, to tampos and pads. “Filipinas generally don’t like it when period products are inserted into the vaginal canal because of the stigma that it might “devirginize” them,” explains Dr. Matibag.

“I’m glad that more Filipinas are more open to trying it out when they see more information about it online,” she adds.

Sanitary napkins, which are the more common choice among Filipinos, have also become widely available in varying thicknesses, lengths, and types of pads. A longer pad makes one sleep better at night, without having to worry about staining the sheets, for example. Thinner pads that stay put and don’t leak are also a good option, as they are more comfortable and can make one not think about being on her period.

“Unscented period products that do not cause irritation on the vulvar skin are best,” advises Dr. Matibag. “Knowing which pads are better for certain days (regular pads for normal flow days, heavy pads for peak flow days, and liners for spotting) may help you choose your preferred ones.”