We can agree that womanhood is fundamentally unfair. The amount of physical discomfort women have to go through in one lifetime is unquestionably difficult. Moreover, women do not have a choice when it comes to the phenomena of the menstrual cycle. Some women also do not have a choice or a voice when it comes to pregnancy either. But, we are here to talk about the menstrual cycle and how our overall health is linked to it. Menstrual cycle comes along with a lot of baggage like menstrual cramps, mood swings, fatigue, irritability, depression and sadness, mood swings, and many many more symptoms. Some of these are very normal but new research states that these symptoms can get more severe if a person is already suffering from a mental health problem. Experts say that PMS can actually feel like hell, for those people.
Research Findings On PMS And Mental Health
According to research, people with a prior history of mental illness or an existing mental illness are prone to experience severe symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome. It might be confusing to understand why this happens so we are here to break it down for you. Pre-menstrual exacerbation is a term which refers to the circumstance when a persons mental health state gets worse as the date of menstruation nears. People suffering from bipolar disorder can experience a worsening of their symptoms when they are about to get their periods. It does not matter whether or not they are getting treatment for the disorder. People living with clinical depression, too, have been found to report more severe PMS symptoms — including suicidal thoughts — compared to women without a history of depression. Those with anxiety, too, often feel more jittery and witness a spike in their angst just before their periods begin.
PMS Can Also Lead To PMDD, Says Experts
Aside from bipolar disorders or depression, people also experience worsening cases of anxiety, stress right before periods. These symptoms can also turn from PMS to PMDD which is referred to as pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, whose symptoms are extreme enough to interfere with their personal and professional lives. Individuals with a personal history of depression, among other mood disorders, are actually considered more vulnerable to PMDD.
Experts also say that, PMS along with mental illnesses can set off this vicious cycle which can get worse with time. PMS in itself brings along a lot pf mental distress, psychological stress, low self-esteem, irritability and also a severe reduction in social engagements. Women are already dealing with certain symptoms even without the mental illness factor in it. Moreover, the contributing factors of stress and isolation, can make them feel further anxious and depressed.