The week between ovulation and the onset of menstruation is known as the luteal phase. In real life, many women experience periodic irritability and significant mood swings, which are manifestations of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). According to statistics, 95% of women of childbearing age experience PMS to varying degrees, with 5% of them having more severe symptoms. Why do women become irritable before menstruation?
The cause of premenstrual syndrome is not entirely clear, but years of research suggest it may be related to the following factors:
First, changes in hormone levels in the body. Before menstruation, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in women drop to their lowest physiological state. Estrogen directly affects the neuroendocrine function of women of childbearing age, and estrogen itself can stabilize mood and relieve stress. When estrogen levels drop, it can have a significant negative impact on a woman's physical and mental health, leading to irritability, anxiety, and depression. Women with menopausal syndrome are prone to restlessness, which is also closely related to the decline in estrogen levels.
Second, changes in hypothalamic function before menstruation. The hypothalamus is the high-level center of the body's endocrine activities and also the emotional control center. The menstrual cycle is actually a series of cyclic changes regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis. The hypothalamic center controlling sex hormones experiences periodic fluctuations, and the neuroelectrophysiology of the hypothalamus also undergoes periodic changes. These changes are bound to interfere with the adjacent emotional center, leading to periodic emotional symptoms in women.
Third, psychological factors that induce irritability. The period before menstruation is inherently a sensitive time. If work pressure is too high, emotions are poor, and mood isn't great, even small incidents can lead to arguments or outbursts. The psychological sensitivity and vulnerability of women invisibly increase the likelihood of losing their temper.
