Feeling Depressed Before, During or After Period

Do you ever feel depressed around your period, either before, during or after?

Is it normal to feel that way?

What can you do to improve your mood and energy level around menstruation?

In our most recent Q & A call, we went around “the table” and each shared one of the challenges we were facing in our menstrual cycles or life situations where we hoped to receive support from the group.

A couple of ladies brought up their respective challenges in dealing with sadness and depression around the time of their period.

Here are some suggestions that emerged from the participants. I hope you find them helpful on your journey as well…

1. Track your cycle

Begin getting to know when your period falls each month and mark it on your period calendar. This way it won’t be a surprise when sadness or depressed feelings arrive.

2. Acknowledge and express your feelings

Allow these feelings to be there and give yourself permission to feel them.

Don’t judge yourself or suppress these feelings as this can cause anger outbursts at a later time.

You have a right to experience your emotions, and maybe there are unmet needs that are trying to be expressed.

Write down how you’re feeling so you can express it in some way, or use a creative approach to express these feelings.

3. Go out and have some fun

There’s definitely a time for being introverted during menstruation. However, if you’re feeling bogged down by negative emotions, recognize them and then do just the opposite.

Get out and engage in some activities that are simple and silly, like dancing and laughing. Things that allow you to be more carefree to balance the deeper, contemplative or serious side of yourself.

4. Nourish yourself

Often when we feel sad or depressed, it’s our body’s way of telling us that we’re feeling depleted and that we need to be nourished.

So try to eat well and nourish yourself. Read what to eat before, during and after your period.

Step outside to connect with nature and let Mother Earth support you and nourish you.

Try doing simple things like cooking, walking to the park to observe the trees, listening to people talking and children laughing.

Find something simple that works for you, that you enjoy, and do it for yourself during this period of frustration or sadness.

5. Create a menstrual ritual

Try to make your menstruation a more delightful experience by using soft, natural menstrual pads against your skin.

Or try herbal teas to support your cycle and your mood.

Raspberry tea helps to nourish and tonify the womb.

Women’s Moon Cycle tea helps to ease menstrual discomfort.

Either way, it helps to create a personal menstrual ritual to honor this special time of your month.

6. Mother yourself

Try to mother yourself — stand in front of the mirror and look at the different parts of yourself.

Allow the sad, angry, frustrated parts of yourself to speak up and then allow the mother within you to support you and comfort you.

7. Meditate

Try to meditate on your feelings.

For example, you can count (1,2,3,4 …) and breathe as the emotions come up. Or use the Sedona Method to release heavy emotions.

The idea is not to stop the thoughts and feelings, but to allow them to come and go and not let them take over and overwhelm you.

8. Set intentions

How you take care of yourself before and during your menstruation can have an effect on how you feel after your period.

Sometimes we feel sad or depressed after our period because we haven’t honored our period by getting enough rest or alone time.

Setting intentions to do these things can help you the week after menstruation — and throughout your menstual cycle.

9. Read a good book

Read an uplifting book that help you connect with your soul and spirit — the deeper part of yourself.

Book suggestion:

Feeling Good: The New Moon Therapy

Journey to the Dark Goddess – How to Return to Your Soul by Jane Meredith.

10. Understand the underlying cause

It’s normal to feel a little blue before, during and after menstruation as both estrogen and progesterone take a steep dive during these times.

However, if the feeling is persistent and intense, there could be an underlying hormonal imbalance, especially due to estrogen deficiency.

Check out the following resources:

Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency

Causes of Estrogen Deficiency: 5 Primary Reasons for Low Estrogen

Estrogen Deficiency Natural Treatment

It was such a warm and delightful experience for me to spend some quality time with the sisters from our Community.

Each woman brings in her own unique life experiences, perspectives, beauty and wisdom to the group.

We all learn from one another and support one another on our journey to harmony.

Cheers to our beautiful sisterhood. And please join us to share your journey!

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