Period Killer Mode: On — Myth or Reality?
As a member of the female sex I experience my period on a monthly basis. You see, the first time I got my period I had no idea what was going on. I walked in to take a bath, took off my underwear and I was like “What is this?”
My mind was racing… “Did I fall off my bike earlier today?” I am pretty sure most girls go through that denial phase where you hate it, but you can’t look away and just stand there in awe thinking you’re dying.
And that’s only half of the story. Cramps, headaches, and serious moodiness hit me like a wave. “I have to go through this hell every month?” — I asked my mother. “Yes, welcome to womanhood.” — She replied.
Ladies, if you don’t experience period pain, let me tell you, you are God’s favorite. Since mine is brutal, I have to ask, do periods actually make women moody or are women moody because they have their period? I think both, but let’s see the more “scientific” answer.
Periods in a Nutshell…
What you may or may not realize is that every single time a woman has her period, it’s because her body was preparing to get pregnant and have a child. You know, the act that perpetuates our entire species?
Yes, every single month the female body goes through an incredibly complex and fascinating transformation called the menstrual cycle. It all starts in the ovaries, which each contain over 100,000 eggs. Once a month, one egg will release, which spends roughly three days making its way to the uterus and while going there, the uterus begins to create a lining, which is rich in nutrients and everything essential to begin life. Under the right circumstances, sperm will fertilize the egg and begin pregnancy in the womb.
Before this, however, female ovaries increase production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone and these hormones promote and maintain the special lining of the uterus. But the hormones also enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body including your brain. It’s here that estrogen and progesterone are thought to interfere with other chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters. And this can lead to the notorious premenstrual syndrome, or PMS in women.
So, you’re telling me there’s a whole bunch of chemicals in my brain and they’re all out of whack, messing with my mind every single month? — Yup, that’s exactly what I am telling you. PMS, however, isn’t the same as period, which is perhaps one of the biggest myths out there. PMS actually happens 7-14 days before the bleeding. This is because estrogen and progesterone levels peak during the creation of the uterine lining. Roughly 50-80% of women have experienced some degree of physical or psychological PMS symptoms, but many aren’t even aware that PMS can occur so much earlier than the period as contemporary culture perpetuates the myth that period is the one that causes these hormonal changes. PMS can manifest itself as psychological symptoms such as mood changes, anger, crying, irritability, and as physical symptoms such as upset stomach, difficulty sleeping and nausea.
One woman’s PMS is not like the other, which is why health professionals have trouble finding a clear understanding of how it all works. Other physical changes take place as well. The amygdala in the brain, which controls emotion, increases its activity. We also have lower levels of the “feel good” chemical serotonin and the neurotransmitter gaba which has anti-anxiety effects, meaning stress and anxiety run high. I, for instance, can become a hot mess. It’s like I want to hug you, but I also don’t want you to touch me. Because you’re all cute and stuff, but I also hate you. And I want lots of chocolate. And here I am thinking that maybe I’m just having a bad day or being crazy because it’s not happening at the same time as my period. But no, it was PMS doing all the drama.
When the period begins, however, these hormone levels drop sharply. After no fertilization occurs, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the body realizes it just ain’t happening. As a result, it begins to literally shed the layer it had created for a potential fetus. This shedding of the membrate and mucus has nowhere to go but out, which, of course, has its pitfalls as well. This is when the really fun part starts. Although there’s not the same amount of hormones raging around my brain, now I get to push an unused membrane of mucus and blood out of my system. Honestly, it’s a lot of fun! It causes cramping and bloating and the wonderful condition of wanting to poop but not being able to, yay!
Of course, when it ends, the cycle starts all over again — a cycle which is essential for the perpetuation of our species. So if I am having an off day, just know I am doing it for humanity. There’s only a few consistent cycles in the Universe. The Sun rises and sets. Tides come in and out…and my menstruation. So appreciate it. Women are awesome, okay?
No but seriously, without the persistent nature of the menstruation cycle, our very existence as a species would be completely altered. So while changes in mood may be a byproduct of this incredible event, we wager it’s all worth it. So, thank you women, for being strong enough to put up with PMS and menstruation. What’s your period experience? Is it a rollercoaster like mine? I would love to hear your stories down below.