Does Ovulation Make You Emotional? Hormones and Mood Changes

The Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Emotions and Behavior

Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly impact women's emotions and behavior. During ovulation in particular, shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones can make some women more irritable or sensitive. Understanding how your cycle affects moods and actions can provide insight and tools to mitigate negative effects.

Menstrual Cycle 101

The menstrual cycle is the process of ovulation and menstruation that occurs in reproductive-aged women. It is controlled by a complex balance of hormones that trigger emotional and physical changes.

There are two main phases of the cycle:

1. Follicular Phase: From the start of your period to ovulation. Estrogen rises while the uterine lining builds.
2. Luteal Phase: From ovulation to the next period. Progesterone rises to thicken the uterine lining.

If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone and estrogen drop, triggering menstruation and beginning the cycle again.

Impact on Emotions

Research shows hormone fluctuations during ovulation can amplify emotional sensitivity for some women. Rising estrogen increases chemicals like serotonin and dopamine in the brain, elevating mood.

However, rapidly dropping progesterone after ovulation counteracts these effects for some. This may increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, irritability, depression, and other emotional changes.

Signs of Ovulation

Pinpointing if and when you ovulate can provide clues into the cause of mood shifts. Signs of ovulation include:

• Cervical mucus changes
• Light spotting
• Breast tenderness
• Mild lower abdominal pain
• Increased libido

Ovulation predictor kits and basal body temperature tracking can also help identify your fertile window each cycle.

Other Menstrual Phase Influences

While ovulation seems to impact some women's moods greatly, hormonal fluctuations during other menstrual phases can also alter emotions and behavior:

Premenstrual (Before Period)

Many women experience PMS sadness, anxiety, irritability, anger and trouble concentrating up to two weeks before menstruating due to declining progesterone levels.

Menstruation

The onset of bleeding triggers release of pain-signaling prostaglandins that for some manifests as depression, low motivation, fatigue, and trouble focusing.

Follicular (After Period)

Rising estrogen in the first half of the cycle can increase energy, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. However it declines just before ovulation, causing recurrent mood dips.

Coping Strategies for Ovulation-Related Mood Changes

Though you can’t control your body’s hormonal shifts, you can mitigate their emotional impact. Below are tips for coping:

Track Your Cycle

Understanding your personal menstrual cycle patterns is key. Notice when you typically ovulate, and watch for corresponding emotional or motivational changes.

Talk It Out

Verbalizing your feelings and ascribing them to hormonal changes rather than personal failure can bring relief and understanding from loved ones.

Practice Self-Care

Counteract ovarian hormone-related irritability, fatigue or sadness by carving out more relaxed time for yourself around ovulation.

Adjust Expectations

Know cycles may impact concentration, motivation or sociability at times. Set realistic goals and don’t judge yourself for lowered productivity.

Make Lifestyle Tweaks

Enhance mood stability by reducing stress, getting ample sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising and potentially supplementing vitamins D, B6, and E.

Consider Tracking Devices

Today innovative apps, wearables and devices available let you monitor menstrual cycles, ovulation, hormones, moods and symptoms to optimize self-care.

When to Seek Help for Emotional Changes

While some ovulation-related mood variability is normal, extreme irritability, sadness and anxiety may indicate an underlying issue. See your doctor if:

• Symptoms disrupt work, relationships or daily life
• Changes feel unmanageable month after month
• You have suicidal thoughts
• Symptoms onset suddenly or worsen with age
• You experience other menstrual irregularities

Your doctor can check for reproductive health issues, hormone imbalances or mental health disorders and provide treatment options - such as lifestyle changes, medications or supplements - to help regulate cycle symptoms.

When Ovulation Mood Swings May Indicate Pregnancy

Some women notice increased moodiness, irritability, anxiety or fatigue around the time of expected ovulation or menstrual period - only to discover they are pregnant!

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen rise rapidly in newly pregnant women, significantly impacting emotions and behavior the same way ovulation hormones do.

Additionally, early pregnancy hormone surges can exaggerate typical PMS symptoms. If mood changes feel suddenly more intense than normal right when you’d expect your period, take a pregnancy test.

Other Early Pregnancy Emotional Signs

Alongside intensified PMS-like symptoms, women newly pregnant may experience:

• Heightened sense of smell
• Food aversions and cravings
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings

Raging hormones contribute to this rollercoaster of emotions. Talk to your doctor if pregnancy mood swings feel unmanageable.

Bottom Line

Menstrual cycles intrinsically influence emotions through fluctuations of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones. Ovulation can increase sensitivity for some women.

Knowing your personal cycles, practicing self-care, adjusting expectations accordingly and seeking help if changes severely undermine function are key to thriving all month long.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.