Why Do You Feel Irritable or Emotional Before Your Period?

Do you ever feel like crying for no reason right before your period? Do small things make you angry? Do you feel sad, tired, or just not like yourself?

If you said yes, many women feel this way. It is called PMS. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. It happens before your period starts each month.

At Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care, we help women with many health needs. This includes concerns about periods, PMS, hormones and other women’s health problems.

Let’s talk about why you feel irritable or emotional before your period.

What Is PMS?

PMS is a group of symptoms that start about a week before your period. These symptoms can be physical and emotional.
These symptoms often start several days before your period. They may get better when your period starts or soon after.
For most women, PMS is mild. But for some, it can be strong. The emotional symptoms can be the hardest part.

Why Do You Feel Emotional Before Your Period?

Your body has hormones. Hormones are chemicals that help your body work properly.
Hormone levels change during your menstrual cycle. These changes can affect your mood.
Before your period, your levels of estrogen and progesterone change. You may notice that you:

• Get angry more easily
• Feel sad or tearful
• Feel worried
• Feel tired
• Have less patience
• Want to be alone
• Have trouble sleeping
• Have trouble focusing

These feelings are not made up. They can be linked to the normal changes in your body.

Why Do You Get Irritable Before Your Period?

You may feel angrier or more upset before your period because your body is changing.

You may also have cramps, headaches, bloating, breast pain, or tiredness. When you do not feel well, small problems can feel much bigger.

For example, a small problem at work may not bother you on most days. But if you are tired and have cramps, that same problem may make you very upset.

Getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, moving your body and taking time to relax may help.

Is It Normal to Cry Before Your Period?

Yes. Some women feel more emotional before their period. You may be more easily tearful or depressed without a good reason. This can happen because of changes in hormones and other body changes.

However, extreme depression isn’t something to be overlooked.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you feel very sad every month or if feeling sad makes it difficult to work, study, sleep, or spend time with others. There may be a reason for your symptoms that needs care.

PMS vs. PMDD: What Is the Difference?

Most people with PMS have symptoms that are mild or manageable. But some people have much stronger emotional symptoms.

A severe form of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD can induce extreme irritation, melancholy, anxiety, mood swings and overload. It can hinder employment, relationships and daily life.

PMDD is more severe than pre-period moodiness and can impact daily living.

You should talk with a healthcare provider if your symptoms:

• Make it hard to go to work or school
• Affect your relationships
• Feel too strong to control
• Become worse each month
• Cause severe sadness or anxiety
• Continue outside the time before your period
• Interfere with your normal activities

If you are thinking about hurting yourself or suicide, get emergency support now, not when you have your routine appointment. It is important to receive early treatment with serious mood symptoms in PMDD.

How Long Does PMS Last?

PMS symptoms start before your period. It usually gets better when your period starts.
You can keep track of your feelings.
Write down:

• When your period starts
• When your mood changes
• When you feel angry or sad
• How well you sleep
• Any pain you have
• When your symptoms go away

Try doing this for two or three months. This can give your healthcare provider useful information.

When Should You Talk to a Doctor?

Feeling a little more emotional before your period can be normal. But you should not ignore symptoms that are very strong or affect your daily life.

Talk to a doctor if you:

• Feel very angry or sad before your period
• Have strong mood swings
• Feel very worried or nervous
• Have trouble sleeping
• Find it hard to work or study
• Have severe period pain
• Have very heavy bleeding
• Notice that your symptoms are getting worse
• Feel that your symptoms are hard to control

A doctor can ask about your symptoms, period cycle, health history and daily life. This can help find out if PMS, PMDD, or another health problem may be causing your symptoms.

Get Help for PMS and Women’s Health Concerns

Don’t have to suffer from tough PMS symptoms alone. When you experience anxiety, anger, sadness, or heightened emotions before your period, medical advice can assist you in understanding what is occurring.

At Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care, we provide care for many women’s health concerns, including period problems, PMS symptoms, hormone concerns, painful periods and other health needs. We listen to your concerns and help you find the right next step for your health.

If you are having these symptoms or another women’s health concern, contact Grace Health Clinic & Urgent Care to speak with a healthcare provider and learn more about your care options.

FAQs

Can exercise help with PMS?

Yes! Exercise can help a lot. It makes you feel happier. Even a short walk helps.

Is PMS the same for every woman?

No. Every woman is different. Some women have mild symptoms. Others have stronger symptoms.