Can Menstrual Disorders Change Women's Brains?

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Menstrual disorders refer to a range of conditions that affect a person’s menstrual cycle.
Recent studies show that menstrual disorders change women’s brains, making them susceptible to mental health disorders.

What Are Menstrual Disorders?

Menstrual disorders are conditions that affect a woman’s menstrual cycle (or the regular, cyclical process that occurs in a woman’s body to prepare for pregnancy).

Menstrual disorders can include a variety of different conditions that affect the frequency, duration, intensity, or regularity of a woman’s periods. Some common menstrual disorders include:

Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Menorrhagia
Oligomenorrhea
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Fibroids

Mental Health And The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle can impact mental health due to hormonal fluctuations, leading to physical and emotional symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depression, and body ache.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are conditions that affect 50% of menstruating individuals. Symptoms emerge one to two weeks before menses and resolve completely with the onset of menses.

Furthermore, the impact of menstrual disorders on mental health can also be influenced by cultural and social factors, such as:

Stigma surrounding menstruation
Lack of access to menstrual products and healthcare
Gender-based discrimination

How Menstrual Disorders Change Women’s Brains

Menstrual disorders, caused by hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, or PCOS, can affect women’s brains, with alterations in brain structure and function affecting mood, emotions, and cognitive processes seen in women with PCOS.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anemia, which reduces the oxygen supply to the brain, causing cognitive impairment. Hormonal imbalances that cause irregular or absent periods can also affect brain function, especially in areas related to emotion regulation, memory, and attention.

Addressing The Psychological Effects Of Menstruation

Consider the following tips to address the mental health consequences of menstruation and menstrual disorders:

Acknowledge and validate emotional experiences related to menstruation
Practice self-care to help alleviate menstrual-related symptoms
Utilize stress-reduction techniques to manage stress and anxiety related to menstruation
Consider therapy or counseling if menstrual-related symptoms are interfering with daily functioning
Educate oneself and others about menstruation to reduce stigma and increase understanding and support
Advocate for policy changes that promote menstrual equity

Therefore, menstruation can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, daily functioning, and quality of life. It’s important to prioritize self-care, seek support from healthcare providers, and advocate for policy changes that promote menstrual equity.

By acknowledging and validating emotional experiences related to menstruation and practicing self-care, individuals can manage menstrual-related symptoms and improve their overall well-being.