Menstrual Hygiene Week 2022: 3 ways your mental health during periods can impact fertility

Menstrual Hygiene Week 2022: Know about these 3 ways in which period symptoms take a toll on the mental health which in turn is related to problems in getting pregnant and can impact your fertility ...read more

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Updated on May 29, 2022 01:01 PM IST

Stress will make one adopt unhealthy practices such as smoking or alcohol that will harm fertility and just like stress, even your periods can impact your mood because when it comes to menses, unbearable abdominal pain, cramping and other PMSing symptoms will be stressful for many and this Menstrual Hygiene Week, we discuss how it can take a toll on your mental well-being.  (Sora Shimazaki )

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Periods will not only impact your physical health but even mental well-being. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Pavan Devendra Bendale, Fertility Consultant at Pune's Nova IVF, told Zarafshan Shiraz, “It is that time of the month when a woman will notice a variety of symptoms right from acne breakouts, fatigue, cramps, mood swings, irritability and stress due to hormonal imbalance. Two essential hormones progesterone and estrogen are crucial for menstruation and their levels will keep changing throughout periods.” He revealed 3 ways in which menstruation takes a toll on the mental health that in turn is related to problems in getting pregnant and can impact your fertility: (Getty Images)

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1. Mood Swings: The progesterone levels increase after the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle. This sudden rise can induce depressive feelings in women as estrogen and progesterone hormones are linked to mood and behaviour. One will be frustrated, agitated, aggressive, stressed, anxious, restless, impatient, or angry. Various studies also suggest that these hormones affect the amygdala part of the brain responsible for flight and fight responses. A hyperactive amygdala can cause sadness or a bad mood. Mood swings are a sign of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PDD) and will make it difficult for you to do your daily activity with ease due to hormonal imbalance. Even unhealthy cravings can set in. (Shutterstock)

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2. Fatigue: When there is little progesterone in the body, it can make it harder for you to get a good night’s sleep. This can cause fatigue. A majority of women will feel dull due to cramping, abdominal pain and insufficient sleep but you will get back on track after menstruation is over. If you tend to experience fatigue without menstruation, then it can be due to other reasons which you should get checked with the doctor. (Shutterstock)

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3. Depression: Women will often be depressed during the menses if they have excessive pain as many of them have a fear in mind that something is going wrong inside. They are also worried about their future health and probable fertility issues which may arise in due course of time. (Unsplash)

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Dr Pavan Devendra Bendale advised, “You need to know that your mental health can have a lasting impact on your fertility. Stress interferes with one’s ability to get pregnant. According to studies, women with a history of depression are likely to experience infertility. Anxiety can also have a negative effect by prolonging the time needed to achieve pregnancy but such women can consult a fertility specialist and opt for ARTs to get pregnant, if needed. One can take the help of intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF). So, take utmost care of your health. To have smooth periods, exercise daily, limit caffeine/alcohol consumption, no smoking, eat a nutritious diet, and meditate to stay calm and composed.” (cottonbro)