Back to Top. Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of the menses. Perimenopause is defined as the transitional period from normal menstrual periods to no periods at all. At this time menstrual periods gradually lighten and become less frequent. The transition to complete menopause may last anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Some research suggests that female hormones interact with brain chemicals in a way that can affect mood in those with PMS. Lower serotonin levels are associated with depression, irritability, and carbohydrate cravings, all of which can be PMS symptoms. Between 3 and 8 percent of menstruating women have an even more severe condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD. These women become seriously depressed a week or two before their periods.
To be diagnosed with PMDD, a woman must have at least five of the following symptoms around the time of her period:. These symptoms will disappear shortly after menstruation starts. Check out the Hormonology Guide below that shows you how hormones impact your emotions from week to week.
One important note: Keep in mind that even though hormones can have a profound impact on your mood, they are still only one factor that affect emotions. There are many other factors that impact how you feel, such hunger, stress, medications, how well or poorly you sleep, illness, pain, starting a new job, falling in love, suffering heartache and so on.
But, knowing how your hormones influence you is still important since it can give you insight into yourself and help you plan your day, week and month ahead. Estrogen starts off at its lowest point at the onset of your period, then slowly rises throughout your Week 1. Depending on your sensitivity to this rising hormone, you could feel your mood, outlook, confidence and optimism rise just a few hours after menstruation begins or it could take a couple of days for this hormone-fueled brightness to kick in.
No matter what your sensitivity, most women tend to notice a distinct surge in good feelings by the middle of their Week 1—around Day 4. The reason estrogen can have such a positive impact on your mood is because it helps the brain produce feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin, endorphins and dopamine. And the higher your estrogen level rises, the more mood-lifting chemicals your brain churns out.
Make this week better: Not feeling the upward climb in emotions during your Week 1? You may be low in iron, which is a common issue when you menstruate since you lose iron as you bleed. The major sign of ovulation is an increase in vaginal discharge, but there are other symptoms that can help identify that you are ovulating, such as:.
Transparent vaginal discharge, similar to raw egg white, is the first sign that ovulation and the fertile window are coming. In this stage your body releases a hormone called estradiol, which produces more liquid than usual, as if it were a lubrication mechanism which aids the entrance of the sperm into the vagina. Breakouts are common when the fertile window is close, as in that period the woman's skin gets more oily, which leads to little zits and blackheads, even after adolescence.
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