5 Reasons You're Cranky During Your Period
We all know that feeling: you're PMSing like crazy, and your period is just making everything worse. You're bloated, you're crabby, and you just can't seem to shake the funk. It's completely normal to feel out of sorts during
your period. Still, if it's really affecting your quality of life, it might be time to take a closer look at what's going on.
Here are 5 possible reasons why your period leaves you feeling so cranky.
1. Hormonal Imbalances
Hey, you, it's that time of the month again! You know what that means: hormone fluctuations galore. Just before your period starts, your body is working hard to get rid of the uterine lining that has built up over the last month.
This process is known as shedding, and it's caused by a decrease in the hormone progesterone. As progesterone levels drop, so do estrogen levels. This hormonal roller coaster can cause many problems, from mood swings to bloating, and fatigue.
2. Poor Sleep
If you're anything like many people with periods, you tend to have trouble sleeping during your period. The hormonal fluctuations, the cramps, and the general feeling of being
uncomfortable make it hard to get a good night's rest. And when you don't get enough sleep, you're more likely to be cranky and irritable.
3. Cramps
Cramps are caused by the muscles of your uterus contracting to help shed the uterine lining. They can range from mild to severe, often accompanied by bloating, nausea and fatigue. All of these symptoms can leave you feeling pretty crummy and feeling like you want to lash out when you have period pain, huh?
But, don’t worry; there are some things you can do to help ease the pain. Exercise, heating pads, and over-the-counter medication can all help relieve cramps.
4. Food Cravings
Have you ever noticed that you tend to crave certain foods during your period? This is not unusual. While there's no scientific evidence to back this up, many experts believe these cravings are caused by the drop in progesterone levels. So if you're feeling a little extra hungry during your period, it might be because your body is trying to replenish the lost progesterone.
The molten lava cake and the cheese from your dreams might sound tempting, but try to resist the urge to indulge in empty calories. Instead, focus on eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like leafy greens, fruits, and lean proteins. These foods will help to ease cramps and bloating while also giving you the energy you need to get through your day.
5. PMS
It’s definitely right up there with period cramps, right? Premenstrual syndrome is when your body starts preparing for your period, and suddenly, you're hit with a lot of symptoms that leave you feeling, well cranky and crabby. You might start feeling irritable, mood swings, or feel crummy. For some people PMS is just a mild annoyance, but for others, it can be really tough to deal with.
You might be rude to your partner or friends, have trouble at work, or just feel like you can't function normally. If your PMS is really bad, it might be worth talking to your doctor. Some medications can help with PMS, and they might be able to make your life quite a bit easier.
Conclusion
Having periods is not a piece of cake. Every month we go through changes, pain, and other symptoms. But remember, you are no less because of it. So, don’t stress and carry on because you’re awesome!
References:
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(20)30619-0/fulltext
https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/gate/menstruation-us
