Ever heard of mood swings? Ever thought why do you go from feeling so confident and energetic one week to feeling irritable and anxious in the other? That how something that you were losing your mind over, didn’t seem like a big deal after your period started? Might seem like an overreaction or weakness, but it is really just science! It's literally just hormones changing the chemicals in your brain, which can feel like a dramatic emotional rollercoaster.

Adolescence is a sensitive developmental window in a teen’s life, where multiple bodily, hormonal and psychological fluctuations keep happening. The brain is still developing and for areas like emotional regulation, the development keeps at it till the age of 25! During this stage itself, the body introduces the grandeur play of hormones, which also fluctuate unpredictably, making teen menstrual cycles more irregular than adult menstrual cycles. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone directly impact brain functions by regulating certain chemical messengers in your brain, that help control your mood, anxiety and emotional stability. These messengers have a science-y name, that is ‘Neurotransmitters’. During the 1st half of our cycle, estrogen levels are on the rise and boost ‘happy hormones’ like serotonin which make you feel confident, social and motivated. But as the cycle progresses and you reach the week before your period, the estrogen levels drop along with the serotonin and mood swings, irritation and anxiety creep in. Similarly progesterone also enhances a neurotransmitter called GABA, which has a calming effect on your nervous system and just before your period when the levels of progesterone crashes, your nervous system becomes more reactive and even small tasks become more overwhelming. 

The menstrual cycle is unpredictable in teens. While adult women typically have a 28-day cycle, teens’ can vary from having a 23-day cycle one month, to being a 35-day cycle the next one. This uncertainty can cause irregular hormonal shifts and can make it harder for the brain to adapt, making emotions be felt with more intensity. All these mood changes are biological, and while most teenage girls experience mild to moderate changes, some can experience more severe symptoms like PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), which is categorized by depression and anxiety that are severe enough to interfere with one's daily routine. All these negative emotions are highest during the luteal phase (7-8 days prior to your period) and even though they are a pain, they also help strengthen the ability of our brain to regulate our emotions in a better manner over time. 

It’s important that during the luteal phase, you take adequate sleep, a balanced diet and do some regular exercises in order to provide some additional support to your brain. You can note patterns of when these difficulties peak for you during the month and keep a track of your body so that you are able to maintain a sense of control. If the mood changes interfere with your daily functions, school and relations, it is advised to talk to a parent or a doctor since disorders related to these are treatable and manageable.

Your hormonal cycle is not you being dramatic, these are measurable fluctuations and changes in our brain chemistry caused by hormones, which affect our mental health and come in the category of neuroscience. So the next time you feel your emotions shifting with your cycle, remember, there's science behind it. And knowing the science is the first step toward taking control of your mental health.