PCOS and Mood Swings- 'I have PCOS and I feel very moody'

PCOS is a condition caused due to hormonal imbalances in woman. The increased production of male hormone- Androgen in the female body results in the formation of cysts in the ovaries, resulting in signs and symptoms like- irregular menstrual cycle, weight gain, hair fall, skin discolouration, acne, excessive body hairs, infertility and so on. In many cases, PCOS also leads to poor mental health conditions, with women suffering from anxiety, depression, and mood swings. 

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How Mood swings are related to PCOS?

PCOS mood swings symptoms are much worser than PMS mood swings. Studies have shown that younger women may undergone more severe mood swings as compared to their older counterparts.

Though there is no research that pinpoints the cause of this relation, there are few areas where the relations can be attributed:

• Inflammation during PCOS, leads to increased internal stress, this causes an increase in cortisol levels that leads to more stress.
• Increased levels of androgens results in long stressed episodes. 
• Insulin resistance lead to elevated blood sugar levels, resulting in body’s method of producing hormones that leads to prolonged periods of stress.
• The thought of having a chronic condition like PCOS itself will have an impact on mental health leading to stress, and therefore, stress for a long duration of time will lead to anxiety or depression.

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How can you manage PCOS mood swings?

Managing mood swings in PCOS varies from person to person and also based on the severity. Other than medical help, there are 2 effective ways to manage mood swings, they include lifestyle management and stress management techniques. 

Lifestyle management techniques include exercise, proper nutrition, rest and sleep, adequate water intake.

Indulge in any form of exercise like HIIT, strength training, Yoga, Pilates, Jogging, swimming, weight training. Intake of proper nutrition by avoiding food items that trigger inflammation, indulge in having food at regular intervals. Stay hydrated always, drink at the least of 2-3 L’s of water everyday, you can even add water rich fruits and vegetables in your diet. Indulge in undisturbed sleep for 7-9 hours, this helps the body and mind to relax and rejuvenate.

Stress management and social group support from family, friends, caregivers and well wishers. Figure out methods that help you stay calm in stressful situations. Meditating frequently and practising breathing exercises are known to help keep calm in chaotic situations.

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Support group

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy relationship with your body and mind is by having healthy relations around you. It is always good to have a good conversation with any of your family member or a friend, someone who gets you and can talk about how you’re feeling without judging you. 

If you feel you are not able to handle your emotions, you can always consult a qualified psychologist, this will help your to justify your emotions while giving you the right tools deal with the same. 

Always keep in mind that your mental health is as important as your physical health, and hence addressing and managing them is very crucial to reverse PCOS. Under right guidance and treatment plan, these can be managed.

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