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What Causes Depression During Menstruation?

Hormones fluctuate during a woman's cycle, affecting mood near menstruation. Depression during and before menstruation affects 75 percent of otherwise healthy women. Factors such as diet and perceived stress contribute to depression during menstruation.

  1. Calcium

    • Calcium deficiency is responsible for many negative menstrual symptoms. Calcium-regulating hormones fluctuate during a woman's cycle and drop significantly 10 days before menstruation, which may cause depression.

    Estrogen

    • The increase in estrogen levels during menstruation may result in depression because it causes a drop in blood sugar. Low progesterone levels and high estrogen levels also cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.

    Stress

    • According to a psychology study at Bucknell University, women react more strongly to stress right before their periods. Stress can lead to fatigue and depression during menstruation.

    Severe Depression

    • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is severe depression that affects 5 percent of women with premenstrual symptoms. The cause is unknown, but it may be related to abnormal reactions to normal hormone fluctuations.

    Treatment

    • Increasing your calcium intake may help prevent depression during menstruation. Progesterone suppositories have been shown to alleviate depression caused by hormone fluctuations. The drug Danazol also regulates estrogen levels.

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