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Does ovulation make you emotional? It might be something you’ve wondered about, especially if you feel those unexpected emotional shifts mid-cycle.
Here’s the thing: when ovulation typically occurs, you feel fantastic—high energy, a boost in your libido, and an overall positive mood. But if you’re also crying a lot, and feeling more irritable and emotional around ovulation—trust us, you’re not imagining things.
Here’s what you need to know about mood changes during ovulation.
Takeaways
- Ovulation is often associated with positive moods, but it can also cause emotional changes.
- Hormonal fluctuations, particularly estrogen, play a key role in mood during the menstrual cycle.
- Ovulation pain can contribute to irritability and mood swings.
- Underlying conditions like PMDD, migraines, and endometriosis can worsen emotional symptoms during ovulation.
- It’s normal to experience some emotional changes, but a doctor should address severe symptoms.
- Self-care, pain management, and professional help are valuable coping strategies.
Hormones and moods during the menstrual cycle
To understand why we might feel emotional during ovulation, we have to look at how our hormones fluctuate during our entire menstrual cycle—they’re kind of a big deal. Think of your hormones as messengers, constantly communicating with your body and brain, impacting everything from your energy and hormone levels to making you moody during your ovulation phase. The menstrual cycle affects everything.
Here’s a breakdown:
Phase | Hormones | Mood/Energy |
Period | Both estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest | Low |
Follicular phase | Estrogen levels are rising, progesterone remains low | High |
Ovulation | High estrogen, LH levels surge, progesterone continues to stay low | High |
Luteal phase | Progesterone levels increase, estrogen fluctuates – it rises mid-phase and then stays low | Low |
Does ovulation make you emotional?
The short answer is: Yes, it’s absolutely possible. While many women feel better around ovulation, a good number experience the exact opposite. In fact, studies show that around 75-80% of reproductive-aged women experience some psychophysiological or emotional symptoms sometime during their normal menstrual cycle, otherwise known as premenstrual symptoms.
We’ve all been there. One minute, you’re feeling just fine. The next, you can hardly contain your rage for whoever filed the dishwasher… that way. And to top off the mood swings during the ovulation phase, you might deal with physical stuff too—like headaches, feeling super tired, acne flare-ups, and, let’s not forget, bloating.
Okay, but why, though? Blame your fluctuating estrogen levels and their impact on ovulation: estrogen levels rise during your menstrual cycle—highest in the days leading up to ovulation, and then your estrogen levels drop right after. Cue the heightened moods and emotional sensitivity!
Ovulation pain could be another thing messing with your emotions. For the most part, women report mild ovulation pain during their menstrual cycle. But sometimes, it can be a sharp, stabbing feeling. And let’s be honest, pain and good moods rarely go hand-in-hand.
Know more: Ovulation pain: What to know about Mittelschmerz
And lastly, certain underlying conditions may also be to blame.
Underlying conditions and impact on mental health
Sometimes, a deeper issue like PMDD, migraines, or endometriosis can make ovulation moodiness feel way more intense.
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is one thing, but PMDD (premenstrual dysmorphic disorder) is the most severe form, affecting 5-8% of women.
PMDD is more than feeling a few mood swings—it’s a bunch of uncomfortable physical symptoms and intense emotional symptoms like stress, more severe mood swings, irritability, and even depression that significantly disrupt day-to-day life. It usually begins right after ovulation and lasts until you get your next period.
So ovulation can be a major trigger, throwing your emotions into overdrive and negatively affecting your mental health.
Experts aren’t sure why PMDD happens — it’s an abnormal reaction to normal hormonal changes that are happening in your body.
Migraine
Did you know that women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men? And it’s all because of estrogen—how rude!
More than half of women dealing with migraine attacks say they show up without warning, before their period, or during ovulation. So, it makes perfect sense that mood swings and hormonal shifts would happen alongside those pesky physical symptoms.
Endometriosis
Imagine tissue that’s like the lining of your uterus, but it’s growing in the wrong place. That’s endometriosis. During ovulation, that misplaced tissue can get really irritated when the egg is released, causing intense pain and sometimes even making you feel sick to your stomach. No wonder you feel emotionally wrecked. It’s a lot to deal with, and hormonal shifts can make you feel more emotional, too.
Know more: Why Endometriosis Ovulation Pain Hurts
Is it normal to feel emotional during ovulation?
There’s really no such thing as “normal” when comparing yourself to everybody else. How emotional you feel during ovulation is unique to you, as is your body’s response to hormonal changes.
You might have mood swings during ovulation, and feeling slightly more sensitive or irritable during ovulation is common. But intense mood swings during ovulation that mess with your daily life are not something you should accept. If you’re experiencing severe mood swings, reach out to a healthcare provider for support.
More research is needed to understand the connection between ovulation, hormone fluctuations, and mood changes. But what we do know is that you’re not the only one dealing with hormonal changes and mood changes during ovulation.
How to cope with ovulation mood changes and emotions?
Okay, so when ovulation typically occurs, it’s supposed to be this super energetic time when you can finally tackle that to-do list. Feeling the exact opposite is incredibly frustrating. Listening to your body is key.
If you’re feeling low, give yourself permission to slow down. Curl up with a good book, take a warm bath, or watch your favorite TV show again — whatever feels comfortable and helps you relax. Identifying patterns in your cycle and emotions can also provide you with valuable insights.
Use heating pads or OTC pain relievers to manage the ovulation pain that’s causing your extreme mood swings. If you have endometriosis or PMDD, hormonal birth control is generally prescribed to reduce symptoms. See a healthcare provider if you’re trying to conceive, and if the pain is so severe or your mood changes start really messing with your life.
So, does ovulation make you emotional? It certainly can. While the energy boost is a real thing for some women, it’s equally real to experience emotional ups and downs during this phase of your cycle.
Remember, your body’s menstrual cycle, hormones, and even experiencing mood swings are all incredibly complex, and your hormones play a big part. Working with your healthcare provider can help you understand and manage these hormone changes. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body’s signals, keep an eye on your mental health, and reach out for support if you need it. You deserve to feel your best every day of the month.
FAQs
While ovulation is often associated with higher energy levels, some women do experience feeling sick and tired during ovulation. This could be due to hormonal fluctuations, ovulation pain, or underlying conditions.
Know more: Feeling Extra Sleepy During Ovulation? You May Not Be Alone.
Yes, it’s possible. While it’s less common than some other symptoms, you may experience nausea during ovulation due to hormonal fluctuations.
Know more: Is Nausea During Ovulation Normal?
Yes. The hormonal fluctuations during ovulation can trigger or worsen anxiety for some women.
Fluctuations in estrogen levels, like the sharp drop in estrogen after ovulation, can affect your mood.
It might. Hormonal changes, ovulation pain, or underlying conditions like PMDD or endometriosis could be to blame.
Listen to your body. Focus on self-care and be kind to yourself.
