Understanding the Impact of Menstruation on Mental Health
Anybody who menstruates knows from experience that the monthly cycle can have a profound impact on the body and mind. But researchers are still only beginning to explore exactly how menstruation can affect health and worsen symptoms of illness.
Discovering the Link between Menstruation and Mental Health
In a recent study, psychologist Jaclyn Ross and a team at the University of Illinois Chicago investigated the connection between menstruation and mental health symptoms in 119 female patients who had experienced suicidal thoughts. The study found that suicidal thoughts tended to worsen in the days leading up to and during menstruation, leading some patients to progress from thinking about suicide to actually making plans to end their own lives.
While this connection may not come as a surprise to individuals with depression, it highlights the importance of studying and understanding how the menstrual cycle can impact mental health. Historically, menstruation has been undertreated and poorly studied, creating challenges for those experiencing pain, heavy bleeding, and other symptoms that may require a diagnosis.
Expanding the Research on Menstruation
In recent years, scientists have begun to address the knowledge gap surrounding menstruation. Research on menstrual fluid, menstrual cycle, and how they impact mental and physical health has gained momentum. Exploring these topics can uncover crucial information about human health that has been overlooked for decades.
Moreover, scientists are investigating the potential of using menstrual fluid for early detection of conditions such as uterine fibroids, cancer, and endometriosis. By understanding menstruation, researchers can gain insight into other areas of study, including wound healing and overall reproductive health.
The Link between Menstruation and Depression
Although most people do not experience major psychiatric symptoms in response to hormonal changes, individuals with underlying mental illnesses, including depression, can be more affected by their menstrual cycles. Studies have shown that approximately 60 percent of women with depressive disorders experience worsened symptoms during menstruation.
Based on Ross’s study, it becomes imperative for therapists, psychiatrists, and OB-GYNs to inform patients about the potential impact of menstruation on emotional symptoms, particularly in relation to suicidal thoughts. Patients may benefit from tracking their symptoms and seeking tailored treatment options that address the cyclical patterns.
Overcoming Stigma and Advancing Research
Despite progress, the field of menstruation research continues to face silence and stigma. Conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) still often go undiagnosed and understudied. Mental health conditions linked to menstruation, such as depression, require further exploration.
Yet, as researchers start breaking the silence, many patients’ accounts have been validated. For instance, recent studies have confirmed the impact of Covid-19 vaccines on menstrual cycles, encouraging vaccine manufacturers to consider patients’ menstrual health in product testing.
Menstruation and its influence on physical and mental health have been undiscussed for far too long. By committing to comprehensive study in this field, scientists can tap into a wealth of knowledge that menstruators have been patiently sharing for years.
This story was originally published in the Today, Explained newsletter.
