Lots of us experience mood swings just before our periods. But there’s another point in your cycle that can affect how you feel, too. It just might not be talked about as much.
Ovulation is the part of your cycle when one of your ovaries releases an egg. This process happens because of hormonal changes that trigger an egg to mature and be released. Since big changes in the way you feel can be attributed to hormone changes, you might notice you feel heightened emotions around this time.
So, let’s dive deeper into how and why ovulation can affect your mood. It can be good to know the signs of ovulation and how to track your cycle so you can better understand what’s typical for you and when you should see a doctor.
A lot is going on in your body throughout your cycle, and during ovulation, your hormones surge so your mature egg can be released.
You might have heard that hormones are crucial to your cycle but not be totally sure how. The crucial four to know at this point are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estrogen.
After ovulation, your progesterone levels rise. This helps to prepare the lining of your uterus for a potential pregnancy. Your estrogen levels fall immediately after ovulation but then begin to rise again in the luteal phase.
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So, what do these hormones have to do with your moods? Well, some studies have found that higher estrogen levels are generally associated with a positive mood. Just before ovulation, “the most common emotion is a pleasant mood and more energy,” explains Dr. Jenna Beckham, obstetrician, gynecologist, and complex family planning specialist, WakeMed Health and Hospitals, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, North Carolina, US.
This is because your estrogen levels can peak at this time, and estrogen has been linked to the production of serotonin, known as the human body’s “happy hormone.”
If you feel good just before ovulation, then you may be able to attribute it to rising estrogen levels. However, if you don’t notice any change in your mood at this point in your cycle, try not to worry. “Hormonal changes around ovulation can cause a wide variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all,” explains Dr. Beckham, and everyone’s cycle is slightly different.
What’s typical for you will be different for other people. Using a cycle tracker like Flo can help you better understand some of the common symptoms during your cycle and learn what’s typical for you.
Since everyone’s cycle is slightly different, it can be tough to give definitive answers about why you might feel a certain way at certain times. However, you might feel emotional after ovulation when your estrogen levels drop.
Your cycle can be split into two phases: your follicular phase and your luteal phase. These two parts of your cycle can be broken up by ovulation. Generally speaking, throughout your follicular phase, your estrogen levels rise. As estrogen has been linked to the production of the happy hormone serotonin, you may feel happier and more energized during this part of your cycle.
After ovulation, as you enter your luteal phase, your estrogen levels drop dramatically. Slowly, in the days following this, they will start to rise again. This is all because the cells that contain the egg you release during ovulation (known as the corpus luteum) produce estrogen and progesterone to prepare your body for pregnancy. However, like all hormonal changes, this can impact the way you feel.
Following ovulation, when your estrogen levels are lower, you might feel sadder or more irritated. Dr. Beckam explains that this is why some people feel lower in the week running up to their period starting. Mood swings are one of the most common premenstrual symptoms.
While your hormones are pretty powerful, they aren’t the only reason why you might feel emotional during ovulation. About 40% of us will experience ovulation pain at some point, and pain can, of course, affect emotions. Your hormone changes can also cause bloating.
It’s all well and good to read that mood swings are typical during your cycle, but when you’re going through the motions, it can be frustrating. However, Dr. Beckam explains that there are things you can do if you’re feeling emotional during ovulation, and the best place to start is to recognize how you feel.
If you feel energized or happy, then try and take advantage of that. “Exercise is great and perfectly safe to do,” says Dr. Beckham. Even if you aren’t feeling energetic, exercise may help with mood swings because it“can increase the release of endorphins, which may result in a more positive mood.”
If you’re feeling low, then give yourself the space to relax and lean into the activities that bring you comfort. That might look like seeing friends, walking, going to your favorite exercise class, journaling, or watching a TV show.
If you are experiencing some of the other symptoms that can be linked to ovulation, like ovulation pain, try using a heating pad to try to ease the pain. A warm bath might feel good. If this doesn’t work, then Dr. Beckham says painkillers “can be helpful.” However, if the pain you feel is enough to disrupt your life or daily activities, you should speak to your doctor.
Finally, if you’re prone to mood swings and feeling anxious during ovulation, it’s helpful to know when ovulation is coming. Be prepared by using an app like Flo to track your cycles.
“If the mood swings are severe or significantly affecting your daily life, you should definitely see your provider about it,” says Dr. Beckham. They will be able to walk you through how you’re feeling and what the next best thing to do will be. They may diagnose your mood swings as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and may talk to you about more serious, rarer conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
It’s crucial that if your mood changes are getting in the way of living your day-to-day life, then you should speak to your doctor.
You might notice that your mood drops just after ovulation because your estrogen levels are lower.
Dr. Beckham points out that if you are prone to “significant mood swings,” you may be more likely to cry. However, if your mood changes mean you feel too low to do day-to-day tasks, you should speak to your doctor.
If you are experiencing mood swings during ovulation, exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of sleep can help to ease your emotions.
“Talk with a [healthcare] provider, a friend, a family member, or even a therapist if mood swings are particularly bothersome,” says Dr. Beckham.
After ovulation, your estrogen levels drop, and your progesterone levels rise. This can impact your body’s capability to produce and release the happy hormone serotonin. That can “definitely make an individual feel irritable,” says Beckham.
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