Menstrual disorders can affect a woman’s mental and emotional health, and even though menstruation occurs monthly for women, the experience remains unique to each with a never-ending list of concerns that women face before and during menstruation, from irritability to premenstrual dysphoric disorder. PMDD). Many people are unaware of the profound ways that menstrual disorders can change women’s minds, causing a range of symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ambika Chawla, Clinical Psychologist at Leeson, said, “Physical discomfort like breast tenderness, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal pain during menstruation, increased psychological stress, mood swings, irritability, low concentration are related. Interpersonal conflicts etc. Statistics vary among populations, but 3% to 8% of women have been found to have common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as irritability, anxiety, nervousness, and excessive sweating. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is another chronic psychological disorder that severely affects their normal functioning.”
In addition to emotional disturbance, there are also direct biological changes. She revealed, “Low estrogen levels around menstruation increase the risk of psychosis-like conditions; Effects on memory have been reported. Furthermore, low levels of estrogen are linked to low levels of serotonin (the happy hormone). Impaired emotional processing and menstrual-related mood symptoms have been reported due to progesterone in stressful situations.”
Dr. Preet Pal Thakur, co-founder, Glamio Health, said, “Research has shown that menstrual disturbances can cause changes in hormone levels in the brain, including estrogen and progesterone, which affect mood, cognition and behavior. For example, women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) experience severe mood swings, anxiety, and depression in the days leading up to their period, which can significantly impact their ability to function in their daily lives. In addition to PMDD, other menstrual disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can also have a significant impact on a woman’s mental and emotional health. Women with PCOS often experience high levels of stress and anxiety, while those with endometriosis may experience chronic pain that can lead to depression and anxiety.”
He emphasized, “We need to raise awareness about the impact of menstrual disorders on women’s mental and emotional health. By educating ourselves and others about these conditions, we can work to reduce stigma and ensure women receive the support and treatment they need to effectively manage their symptoms. It is our duty to ensure that women receive the care and support they need to effectively manage menstrual disorders. By taking a holistic approach that addresses both physical and mental health, we can help women live happier and healthier lives, free from the burden of menstrual disorders.”
Bringing her expertise to the same, Sujata Pawar, co-founder and CEO of Avani said, “Incidence of menstrual disorders including dysmenorrhea (painful cramps); Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding); Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation); Oligomonorrhea (irregular menstruation); Hypomenorrhea (light menstruation) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have serious psychological, physical and social consequences for menstruating men. Many of these disorders are prevalent in adolescent females of reproductive age and are associated with disruption of family and social relationships, interference with work and absenteeism, and increased health care costs. Although professional help has proven successful for many women who suffer from moderate to severe menstrual disorders, long-term medications are not always effective in achieving complete relief of symptoms.”
She highlighted, “Personality characteristics also play an important role in self-perceived health, and it is not easy to deal with such health conditions alone when it is a taboo subject. Due to its sheer impact on emotional well-being, most adolescents with low self-esteem are afraid of failure, always anxious. , make less effort to be productive, ignore important things in life, and experience depression when they perform poorly. So now is the time for us to raise the level of awareness about menstrual disorders in adolescents and their relationship with psychological health and overcome the challenges they face and It can also help cope with individual symptoms.”