I get really anxious around the time of my period. Do you know what could be the cause?

Hi. It’s Jenny at AnxietyBoss.com. Our question today comes to us from Bethany in Tampa. I get really anxious around the time of my period. Do you know what could be the cause?

Well, actually hormones are to be blamed for your heightened anxiety attacks around your menstrual cycle. As we know, menstruation triggers a number of hormonal fluctuations that can cause physical and emotional factors that may contribute to anxiety.

Now the two main hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can affect your sleep patterns, your appetite, your overall energy levels, which can obviously make you a bit cranky. And if you’ve suffered from difficult period symptoms such as severe cramps and heavy bleeding in the past, you are more likely then to worry about all of these negative experiences when you get close to your period.

So in order to keep your anxiety levels low around your menstrual cycle, you should exercise on a regular basis; this can help a lot. Of course, I know you’re in no mood to exercise when you’re feeling miserable, but when you exercise, your body will secrete endorphins that will help ease those stomach cramps and also make you feel better.

At the same time, you should minimize your alcohol intake. Alcohol acts as a GABA inhibitor and it makes your nervous system very easily overwhelmed. And most of all be sure to get enough sleep. Without enough sleep, everyone can become antsy and moody.

If you want to know more about reducing your anxiety around your menstrual cycle, you should visit AnxietyBoss.com for more information as well to see if you have anxiety during your menstrual cycle only or if you have abnormal amounts in general.