Happiful August 2019

Many women find that
their mental health
needs more attention
on certain days of
the cycle, and this
awareness itself can
literally save lives
Claire Baker, women’s coach and
menstrual educator, explains: “The
rise and fall of female sex hormones,
oestrogen and progesterone over a
cycle, can affect mood, emotions, and
mental health, because hormones
change the chemistry of the brain.
“This influence is complex and
unique to the individual. It’s natural
to feel a little different, week-to-week,
as hormones shift, but very disruptive
changes in mood and mental health
might point to a hormonal imbalance.”
So why do these hormone changes
affect our mood? Two of the key
hormones that fluctuate are oestrogen
and progesterone, which regulate
neurotransmitters serotonin (dubbed
‘the happy hormone’) and gammaaminobutyric
acid (which relieves
anxiety).
Oestrogen and progesterone levels
rise during ovulation to prepare for
pregnancy. If we don’t conceive,
these levels drop to prepare for
menstruation. This rise and fall
takes a toll on us mentally.
THE IMPACT ON OUR
MENTAL HEALTH
“The impact of menstruation
on mental health is often
greatly underestimated,”
counsellor Simone Ayers tells
us. “Experiences vary on a
spectrum of mood changes
– from increased stress and
anxiety, to suicidal thoughts,
and the use of self-harm to
cope with the intense feelings
that menstruation can cause.”
For those who already struggle with
their mental health, they may notice
a spike in their symptoms, Simone
notes. This is known as premenstrual
exacerbation (PME) and can affect
both mental and physical illnesses,
including anxiety, depression, asthma,
and inflammatory bowel disease.
46 • happiful.com • July 2019