Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) manifest particular symptoms for most women. One of the symptoms that may be experienced is anxiety.

Changes In Brain Chemicals

A research study published in Nature Neuroscience revealed the changes that take place in the brain chemicals before and during the menstrual cycle, as a means to help explain why some women are more prone to experiencing anxiety during this time.

Although studies are ongoing, these findings will hopefully provide greater insight as to why women develop Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and also how they can be helped and/or treated.

Anxiety Can Increase During Menstrual Cycle

Experts say that generally, women are more prone to anxiety than men, and a woman’s anxiety symptoms are more likely to intensify during their menstruation cycle.

Studies have shown that women who have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) suffer more with severe anxiety during their menstruation period compared to any other days of the month. There are also women who only experience anxiety when they are having their periods.

Possible Causes of Anxiety Before and During Menstruation

1. Changes in Estrogen and Progesterone Levels

Hormonal changes take place prior to and during menstruation, this makes a woman very prone to their emotional and physical side effects and increase her likelihood of experiencing anxiety.

Fluctuations in a woman’s progesterone and estrogen levels can impact not only her energy levels, but also her digestive system and appetite. For some women these related changes can also cause heightened anxiety levels.

However, experts also confirm that there are several factors that come into play that increase a woman’s risk of anxiety. In other words, there is no single, simple reason or cause why women experience anxiety before or during their menstruation cycle.

2. Increase in Cortisol Levels

There are studies which have shown that a woman’s cortisol levels increase before and during her menstruation period. Cortisol is a stress hormone and having high levels of cortisol can cause both stress and anxiety.

One side effect of too much stress and anxiety is food cravings. Quite often a woman will turn to comfort foods if she is suffering with PMS and/or anxiety. This in turn can cause bloating and weight gain and so provide another reason for anxiety.

3. Fear of PMS Symptoms

A woman’s anxiety at this time may not always be caused by fluctuations of her hormones. It’s almost like the “chicken and egg” question. Which one comes first? Is it the PMS causing anxiety symptoms to rise, or is it the thought of suffering with PMS symptoms that also brings on the stress and anxiety?

Some women who experience difficult and extremely painful periods begin to panic when they sense PMS symptoms beginning, because it is a sign that their period is almost upon them. The memory of past pain from previous experiences may be enough to trigger stress and subsequent anxiety symptoms.

There are many well-used and proven methods to help reduce this debilitating fear and its painful consequences. Many have found success in meditation, yoga and other natural disciplines that help provide feelings of being in control rather than feeling at the mercy of a calendar.

If natural efforts don’t provide relief, you should consult a doctor. An assisted therapy such as acupuncture or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) may be required.