You’re Crying Again, and It’s Not Even a Sad Part of the Movie

One minute you’re fine. The next? You’re sobbing into your hoodie because someone used the last of the oat milk. You’re irritated, teary, maybe overwhelmed by… nothing? Or everything?

If you’ve ever felt like a walking contradiction before your period - tired but wired, sensitive but snappy - you’re not alone. And no, you’re not overreacting. There’s actually a lot going on beneath the surface.

To help us unpack it all, we’ve brought in Caitlyn McClure, a neuroscientist and clinician who works at the intersection of hormones, mental health, and real life. Caitlyn helps women and girls understand how their emotions, energy, and stress levels shift with their cycle - so they can stop blaming themselves and start finding support that actually works.

Let’s break it down, from PMS to PMDD to why winter makes everything feel louder - and what you can actually do to feel more like you.

PMS, PMDD, or Seasonal Mood Dip? What’s the Difference?

You’re bloated, emotional, and one inconvenience away from an existential crisis. But what’s really going on? 

Caitlyn explains:

“PMS and PMDD are on the same spectrum concerning symptoms, but the intensity and impact of PMDD on daily life are much higher. PMS can cause irritability, low mood, fatigue, and physical symptoms such as bloating and breast tenderness in the days before a period starts.

With PMDD, the emotional symptoms are so severe that they interfere with daily life. I see people who, for a week or so every cycle, suddenly feel hopeless, very anxious, rageful, or unlike themselves. They might cry at work, argue with their partners, or think things like, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ 

The key marker is that symptoms are cyclical, clearly linked to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and dissipate within a few days of menstruation starting.”

And to complicate things further? Winter isn’t exactly helping...

Why Your Period Emotions Feel Worse in Winter

Colder mornings. Greyer days. Less light. It’s not your imagination - your period might hit harder this time of year.

“The lack of sunlight affects the body’s internal clock and reduces serotonin levels,” Caitlyn says. “If you already have PMS/PMDD, the baseline is lower, so the drop feels heavier. I often hear in practice, ‘My periods are so much harder in January than they are in June,’ and sure enough, that pattern correlates.”

Add that to post-holiday comedowns, school stress, and disrupted routines - and it’s a recipe for emotional overwhelm.

What You Can Do to Feel More Like You

You can’t stop your hormones from shifting, but you can support yourself through it. And no - it doesn’t need to look like a full-on wellness plan.

Here’s what Caitlyn recommends:

“Practical support matters more than perfection. Regular meals that include protein and complex carbohydrates help maintain steady blood sugar levels, reducing emotional spikes. Gentle movement, like a 10-minute walk outside, is enough to boost your mood. This helps women to look for patterns and plan ahead, such as scheduling demanding work on high-energy days or safeguarding rest time before a period. Things like taking a moment to breathe slowly, having a warm shower before bed, or spending half an hour with no screens will make those days more bearable.”

Also helpful:

• Track your cycle and mood to spot patterns (you can use our printable tracker!)
• Get morning daylight when you can - hello, serotonin
• Stretch it out - ten minutes counts
• Fuel your body, especially in the lead-up to your period
• Rest without guilt - you’re not lazy, you’re cyclical
• Use comfort tools: WUKA Stretch™️ period pants (with a second-skin fit like a hug just when you need it) and our soothing Heat Patches are designed for these high-emotion days
• Say no to draining stuff. Period.

And most importantly? Let yourself feel.

“Hormones play a huge role in this regard. Oestrogen tends to boost serotonin, which supports mood, energy levels and focus. Another thing to note is that, as oestrogen peaks, many women tend to feel more social and confident around mid-cycle. In the days following ovulation, as progesterone rises, some women may feel calmer, while others experience more sluggishness, tearfulness, or edginess. When a person is highly sensitive, even slight hormonal fluctuations might feel like a storm within their body.”

When to Ask for Help

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this just PMS or something more?”, Caitlyn has a clear answer:

“I encourage anyone to seek medical or psychological help if they experience thoughts of self harm or not wanting to be alive, changes in functioning at work or school, frequent conflicts related to relationships near the onset of their cycle, symptoms most months that go away when the period starts etc. If a person feels like a different person for part of the month, they deserve support. A combination of medical care, therapy, and practical adjustments often brings real relief.”

There’s no trophy for pushing through alone. You’re not “too sensitive” or “too emotional” - you’re a human with hormones, and you deserve care.

You’re Not Overreacting - Your Body Is Responding to Hormonal Changes

Feeling everything doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means your body’s trying to tell you something—and you’re finally starting to listen. That wave of overwhelm, that random rage at your hoodie drawstring, that deep cry you didn’t see coming? It’s not weakness. It’s communication. Hormones shift. Serotonin dips. Your energy, your mood, your needs - they’re all in flux. And that’s not failure - it’s biology.

Your emotions aren’t overreactions. They’re information. They’re the signal, not the storm. You don’t have to ignore them or push through with a fake smile. You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to care for yourself like you would a friend.

Learning how your cycle affects your mind and mood isn’t about fixing yourself - it’s about understanding yourself. And that’s not just powerful. It’s healing.

Related posts

Essential Things You Should Know About Your Period 

Period Myths: What’s Real and What’s Not?

Why do Periods Make me Feel Emotional?