PCOS & Mood Swings: Tips to Feel Better

Life is filled with ups and downs, so it’s only natural that we experience a range of emotions, from exuberant joy to overwhelming sorrow. While this battle with emotions can be challenging at the best of times, it gets a lot trickier when you have PCOS. Studies conducted in India show that mood swings and mental health disorders affect roughly a third of all women living with PCOS. Unfortunately, the emotional and mental burden of this condition is often overlooked, which leaves women with PCOS feeling isolated and unsupported. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the link between hormones and PCOS mood swings and how they can affect your everyday life. We’ll also share practical tips to help you feel more emotionally balanced and in control.

Does PCOS cause mood swings?

Yes, PCOS is known to cause mood swings in women, greatly increasing the risk of depressive and anxiety disorders. In fact, research shows that women with PCOS have an eight times higher risk of depression as compared to those without PCOS. The link between PCOS and mood swings is multifaceted, involving intersecting features of the condition such as hormonal, metabolic, and physiological changes. Some of these changes directly influence moods, while others may exert an indirect influence. 

Understanding the hormonal triggers behind mood swings in PCOS

Often categorised as a hormonal or endocrine disorder, PCOS is defined by fluctuations and imbalances in hormone levels. While levels of the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, can fluctuate, levels of male hormones or androgens tend to rise. As hormones have a direct influence on our moods, these imbalances and sudden changes contribute to mood swings, which can vary in severity among different women. High androgen levels associated with PCOS are linked with impaired mood regulation and increased irritability.

PCOS also causes changes in how your body responds to the hormone insulin, which is used to metabolise glucose as an energy source. In PCOS, the metabolic pathways responsible show impaired function and can no longer use insulin efficiently, leading to an accumulation of glucose. These blood glucose spikes have a direct impact on energy levels and mood, increasing mood swings.

Emotional triggers related to PCOS

Living with any chronic condition comes with a huge emotional burden as you are forced to confront difficult feelings such as fear, anger, and sadness right from the time of diagnosis. Similarly, living with PCOS causes immense emotional upheaval, and it can be difficult to adjust to uncomfortable symptoms that develop with the condition. Moreover, PCOS poses a significant risk of complications or comorbidities, making significant lifestyle and dietary changes essential for its management. This adds another layer of stress to the condition.

What makes PCOS particularly hard to manage emotionally is its impact on your sense of self and relationships, as many of the symptoms directly affect your appearance. Symptoms such as acne, weight gain, and excessive facial & body hair growth are damaging to self-confidence, self-esteem,  often leading to social withdrawal and isolation.

Common emotional symptoms associated with PCOS 

The warning signs of PCOS mood swings are easy to miss but can escalate quickly if not dealt with properly. This makes it important to recognise symptoms of emotional distress or mood swings so that you can seek timely help. These include:

• Sudden changes in emotions

• Inexplicable feelings of sadness or anger

• Increased anxiety and stress

• Feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem

• Unhappiness about your appearance

• Fatigue

• Difficulty sleeping

In addition, neuroinflammation and elevated inflammatory cytokines are thought to contribute significantly to depression and anxiety in women with PCOS.

Tips to manage and reduce mood swings with PCOS

With awareness and guidance, PCOS mood swings can be managed effectively at home using a variety of psychological tools. However, it's important to be consistent with these practices.

• Mindfulness meditation: This is one of the most powerful ways to get in touch with your feelings, giving you greater control over your mood. It helps you to change how you feel and react, rather than simply suppressing emotions.

• Journalling: Maintaining a journal can be cathartic and gives you a more objective perspective so that you can analyse your emotions and work on them. This is also known to alleviate stress and can increase feelings of happiness, especially when you use gratitude journalling.

• Relaxation exercises: Practises such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are commonly used coping mechanisms to deal with stress quickly. These tools can help you overcome mood swings that are triggered by challenging and stressful situations. 

• Physical activity: Increased levels of physical activity can help you cope with symptoms of PCOS and moodiness, making you feel better about yourself and your body. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of PCOS complications and clinical depression. 

• Socialising: Social isolation is a serious problem in women with chronic conditions like PCOS, making it harder to cope with both physical and emotional challenges. Try to connect with friends and loved ones regularly, if not in person, then over the phone. You can also form new friendships through support groups and forums for women living with PCOS. 

When should you seek professional help?

Mental health professionals can help from the time of diagnosis, making it easier to cope with changes in your life. However, their support becomes essential if you develop symptoms of moodiness, depression, and anxiety, which feel like they are out of your control even when using coping strategies.

Parting thoughts

To sum it up, mood swings are a common challenge for those with PCOS, often driven by hormonal imbalances. Understanding these triggers and adopting gentle lifestyle changes can make a real difference. By prioritising self-care and seeking support when needed, you can regain emotional balance and feel more like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does PCOS directly alter mood or is it only psychological?

The mood swings associated with PCOS are not just a psychological phenomenon caused by stress or emotional upheaval. They are also triggered by imbalances in hormones and neurotransmitters.

2. Can I stabilise PCOS-related mood swings at home?

Mild mood swings and moodiness can be managed with lifestyle changes and practices such as daily meditation, mindfulness, exercise, journalling, and relaxation techniques. However, it’s important to seek professional help, especially if mood swings persist or are severe. 

3. Will meditation help reduce PCOS mood swings?

Regular meditation is recognised as therapeutic for stress disorders and depression, which also makes the practice helpful for managing mood disorders linked to PCOS.