Mente y estado de ánimo

Mood changes across the cycle

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Many people notice their mood shift before a period. Here is how hormones may play a part, what helps, and when low mood is more than PMS.

How your cycle can affect mood

Your hormone levels rise and fall across each menstrual cycle. Many people notice changes in their mood in the weeks before a period. This is part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The exact cause is not known, but it may be linked to these changing hormone levels. How strongly it affects people varies a lot. Some people notice only small changes. For others, the changes are much harder to live with.

Feelings that are common before a period

Common emotional changes include mood swings, feeling irritable or low, and feeling upset, anxious or emotional. Physical symptoms often come at the same time. These include tiredness or trouble sleeping, bloating, sore breasts, headaches and changes in appetite or food cravings. These feelings are common and are not a sign of weakness. The PMS article explains the symptoms in more detail.

When it is more than PMS

For a small number of people, premenstrual symptoms are much more severe. This is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Symptoms come in the time between ovulation and your next period. For most people, this time lasts about 2 weeks. PMDD can cause depression, anxiety, anger and suicidal thoughts. Research suggests that people with PMDD may be more sensitive to the normal hormone changes of the cycle. The PMDD article explains how it is diagnosed and treated.

Other times hormones can affect mood

Mood can also change at other times of big hormone shifts. Feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after giving birth is very common and usually passes within 2 weeks. If low mood is severe or lasts longer, it may be postnatal depression. Some women also have stronger feelings of irritability, anxiety, sadness or loss of enjoyment in the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause). Both kinds of depression can be treated.

What can help

Regular exercise, a healthy, balanced diet and plenty of sleep may help ease PMS symptoms. Yoga, meditation or other ways to lower stress may help too, as can not smoking and not drinking too much alcohol. Keeping a record of your mood for at least 2 cycles can show whether changes follow a pattern, and logging mood in Ciclo alongside your period makes this easier. If self-help is not enough, a doctor can talk to you about hormonal contraception, talking therapy (CBT) or antidepressants.

When to get help

See a doctor or nurse if mood changes are affecting your daily life, or if self-help has not worked. Also get help if you feel low most of the day, nearly every day, for 2 weeks or more, at any point in your cycle. If you are thinking about harming yourself or ending your life, get emergency help or contact a crisis line now.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If mood changes are hard to live with, talk to a doctor or nurse.