PMS: It’s Not “Just Hormones” — Understanding Why You Feel Different Before Your Period
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is incredibly common — but that doesn’t mean it’s something you just have to live with.
If you feel like you become a different person before your period, or your body suddenly feels inflamed, exhausted, or emotionally raw each month, there is usually a physiologic reason behind it.
PMS is not random. It’s a signal.
What PMS Can Feel Like
PMS symptoms often begin 5–10 days before your period and may include:
• Mood swings or irritability
• Anxiety or feeling overwhelmed
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating or water retention
• Food cravings
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Sleep changes
While these symptoms are common, severe PMS is not normal — and it often reflects underlying hormonal or nervous system imbalance.
Why PMS Happens
Progesterone is relatively low
Progesterone has calming, anti-inflammatory, and nervous system stabilizing effects. When levels are insufficient after ovulation, symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and poor sleep can appear.
Estrogen is relatively dominant
Estrogen promotes fluid retention, breast tenderness, and increased inflammatory signaling when not balanced by adequate progesterone.
Blood sugar instability
Rapid drops in blood sugar can worsen mood swings, cravings, and fatigue in the luteal phase.
Nervous system sensitivity
The brain becomes more sensitive to hormonal shifts in some individuals, amplifying emotional and physical symptoms.
Inflammation
Higher inflammatory signaling can intensify pain, headaches, and mood changes.
When PMS Becomes PMDD
If symptoms significantly impact relationships, work, or mental health, this may represent premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which requires a more comprehensive approach.
A Root-Cause Approach to PMS
Instead of suppressing symptoms, treatment focuses on supporting hormone balance and nervous system resilience.
This may include:
• Supporting ovulation and progesterone production
• Stabilizing blood sugar
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting liver detoxification pathways
• Stress regulation
When to Seek Support
You don’t need to wait until symptoms are severe.
If your cycle consistently affects your mood, energy, or quality of life, that’s worth exploring.
FAQ
Is PMS caused by hormone imbalance?
Often yes — particularly relative progesterone insufficiency or estrogen dominance.
Should PMS be getting worse with age?
It can, especially if ovulation becomes less consistent or stress levels increase.
Can lifestyle changes really help PMS?
Yes — sleep, nutrition, and stress regulation significantly influence symptom severity.
Dr. Kseniya Zvereva (ND) is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Washington, California, and Minnesota and founder of Xenia Integrative. She specializes in hormone imbalance, fatigue, gut dysfunction, pain, and stress-related conditions using personalized, evidence-informed naturopathic medicine.
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