Why You May Feel Awful After Your Period Ends and Find Relief

Decoding the Physical and Emotional After-Effects of Your Period

Its common for women to feel relief when their period finally starts after battling PMS symptoms leading up to it. But for many, a wave of unwanted physical and emotional side effects continue on through their cycle and even after it ends. Heres why you may feel awful before, during and especially after your period.

Hormone Withdrawal

Hormone levels rise and fall dramatically through the various menstrual cycle phases. Estrogen peaks right before your period then takes a nosedive along with progesterone as the period starts. This abrupt withdrawal can leave you feeling weepy, irritable, anxious or depressed.

These mood dips and difficult emotions often linger for several days after your period too while hormones try to rebalance and return to normal, premenstrual levels. The fatigue and difficulty concentrating many experience post-period may also be a side effect of hormone withdrawal.

Physical Symptoms Dont Always Resolve Quickly

Bloating, breast tenderness, acne breakouts and morePMS unleashes a range of uncomfortable physical symptoms leading up to your period. And these ailments often continue plaguing you several days into your period too.

Prostaglandins, chemicals your body releases to promote uterine contractions to shed the uterine lining, add insult to injury. They cause symptoms like headaches, diarrhea or nausea as additional period side effects.

Feeling Rundown and Fatigued

Its not uncommon to feel overtired, rundown and wiped out before, during and after menstruation. Your body works extremely hard during your period and loses more blood, fluids and important nutrients like iron in the process.

This monthly blood loss can contribute to anemia which leaves you pale and fatigued. The dip in estrogen and progesterone also disrupts sleep quality leading up to and through your period, further increasing weakness and tiredness.

Underlying Medical Conditions May Be to Blame

For some women, feeling awful through their cycle is normal. But if you regularly experience severe symptoms before and after your period, an underlying gynecological disorder may be causing monthly havoc.

Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis or other conditions can intensify typical period symptoms. Pelvic pain, extremely heavy bleeding, bowel issues and severe PMS mood issues before and after a period can signal its time to get checked out.

Why Emotions and Mood Issues Can Plague Your Post-Period Week

If you find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster ride or battling the blues in the days following your period, youre not alone. Lets explore why its so common to grapple with mood issues after your period ends.

Postmenstrual Syndrome is Real

Most have heard of PMS or premenstrual syndrome wreaking havoc before a period. But research shows up to 18% of menstruating individuals actually suffer from postmenstrual syndrome (PMS) involving mood issues after their periods when hormones have bottomed out.

The days right after your cycle ends put you at greatest risk for this emotional vulnerability. Sudden mood shifts like tearfulness followed by irritability are hallmark postmenstrual syndrome signs. Anxiety, trouble focusing, low motivation and appetite changes also occur.

It Can Look Like Postpartum Depression

In fact, postmenstrual syndrome shares many parallels with postpartum depression that arises after childbirth from radical hormonal shifts. The acute hormone withdrawal and collateral damage done by PMS leaves many women reeling emotionally after their periods too.

This collision of physical discomfort, fatigue, preexisting stressors and a quick hormone descent creates the perfect storm for struggling mentally several days post-period. For some, underlying issues like anxiety or depression worsen too.

Medication Effects Can Negatively Rebound

Another factor in post-period mood issues is stopping medication to treat severe PMS or pmdd a week or so pre-period. The anxiety, irritability, anger or dark thoughts rebound with a vengeance after discontinuing SSRI antidepressants or birth control pills once the period starts.

This medication rebound leaves you suddenly facing withdrawal-like symptoms atop crashing hormone levels without the buffer previously provided. Mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants may be adjusted to counter this.

Coping Strategies to Ease Physical and Emotional Post-Period Symptoms

While you patiently await hormone levels to stabilize and period-related problems to subside, proactively caring for body and mind can help you regain comfort and balance. Here are some go-to coping strategies to minimize after-period issues.

Enjoy Comforting Self-Care

Whether its relaxing in the tub, getting a massage, catching up on sleep or vegging out to your favorite moviesprioritize nurturing self-care activities following your period. Even simple comforts like cozy socks, warm beverages and houseplant therapy do wonders for lifting the spirits too.

Soothe Your Body

For ongoing cramps, lower back soreness or other physical discomfort after your period, at-home remedies bring relief. Try heat packs, OTC pain medication, massage, ginger tea, magnesium supplements or yoga stretches to help ease aches and pains.

Replenish Nutrient Levels

Combat fatigue, weakened immunity and poor concentration during and post-period by replenishing nutrients. Increase iron-rich foods like spinach, legumes and grass-fed beef or consider supplements to address iron deficiency anemia causing exhaustion.

Getting enough magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, omega-3s and zinc also counteracts common period-related nutrient shortfalls making you feel unwell.

Avoid Triggers Where Possible

To keep emotional sensitivity at bay after your cycle ends, dodge known triggers when possible. Say no to social commitments if feeling extra introverted. Buffer stress by letting household chores slide. Most importantly, be extremely self-compassionate through any ups and downs.

Lean on Your Support System

Dont weather this aloneopen up to your significant other, close friends and family if mood issues regularly follow your period. Having loved ones check in and cheer you up or bring meals when you need downtime makes all the difference.

Joining online communities for menstrual-related mood disorders can also help you feel understood and less alone. Therapy provides ongoing coping assistance if available too.

When to See Your Doctor About Post-Period Problems

Occasional period-related fatigue, soreness or weepiness is often par for the course. However, if you regularly struggle with severe symptoms or difficult emotions trailing every cycle, seek medical support.

A womens health specialist can pinpoint any underlying gynecological issues at play or hormone imbalances that might magnify common problems. They can also screen for iron deficiency anemia and prescribe medication if needed.

Postmenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Treatment

If an intense form of PMS called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) precedes your cycle along with dark, depressive thoughts post-period, treatment is key. Oral contraceptives, SSRIs or other antidepressants often significantly improve PMDD mood symptoms.

Psychotherapy for Emotional Support

Seeing a therapist trained in womens reproductive mental health provides ongoing coping assistance too. Talk therapy along with relaxation techniques like CBT help overcome mood issues, anxiety and depression worsened by monthly hormone shifts.

Having compassionate support to process complex feelings around your period and womanhood can be extremely healing for many.

Gaining relief from recurring after-period symptoms starts with acknowledging their substantial impact. While some degree of discomfort is standard with menstruation, you dont have to resign yourself to feeling awful either. Seeking solutions tailored to your unique needs makes all the difference.

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.