“Being a woman is exciting because we don’t know what mood we’ll be in next or for how long.” -Unknown
When I first found that quote, I thought it was funny, but I had no idea how much it would resonate. After more than three months, it’s still the only thing I’ve posted on Instagram that gets multiple likes each week!
As women it’s normal to experience mood fluctuations, mostly due to the fluctuations of estrogen throughout the menstrual cycle.
There’s a positive relationship between estrogen and serotonin, so when estrogen is on the rise in the first half of our cycles, we tend to feel a boost in our mood as well. Serotonin has a lot of different functions, but it usually gets mentioned when we talk about depression. Low levels of serotonin = higher risk of depression.
They’ve also found that changes in estrogen, specifically the drop in estrogen that we experience after ovulation, is associated with low mood, food cravings, and impaired cognitive function.
From what I’ve just told you, it may sound like high levels of estrogen would always be a good thing, but as often happens in life, you can have too much of a good thing as well.
When we become estrogen dominant there is too much estrogen in relationship to progesterone and that results in PMS, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and reduced sex drive. Progesterone comes on the scene as a result of ovulation, which means regular ovulation is important for calm, stable moods (not just getting pregnant).
Estrogen dominance is on the rise in women because it’s driven by a few things that are all too common these days: uncontrolled stress levels, use of hormonal birth control, exposure to chemicals that mimic estrogen in our personal care products, and poor digestion.
When estrogen levels are balanced, your life no longer feels like a rollercoaster of emotions from one week to the next and the days before your period are no longer a time you (and your partner 😬) dread.
If you feel like your estrogen may be taking up a little too much of the spotlight in your monthly cycle, that’s definitely something I can help you with. Check your inbox on Friday for some of my top tips to treat and avoid estrogen dominance. And if you’re ready for a more personalized approach, you can always schedule a Hormone Health Consultation at this link here.
