Why I Turn Into a Different Person the Week Before My Period (And What Nobody Told Me)
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The week before my period? I don’t even recognize myself.
I don’t care how peaceful I’ve been, how many herbal teas I drank, how many affirmations I whispered — that luteal week hits like a truck.
And if you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what I mean.
Before my period, I get real irritable. Like, everything and everybody feels like too much — and I used to think something was wrong with me. I remember one time I was at my sister’s house, and out of nowhere, I got so angry. Like, heart beating fast, body hot, everything irritating me down to the sound of somebody breathing.
But deep down, I already knew…
“My period is probably coming.”
And here’s the wild part:
People automatically assume it’s your mental health doing this. Especially when you already carry labels like PTSD, anxiety, bipolar, depression… all the stuff that makes folks judge you quicker.
But listen — that wasn’t it.
This was my body.
My hormones.
My chemistry flipping a switch.
And women don’t hear that enough.
The Week Before Your Period Isn’t You — It’s Your Chemistry Shifting
No one ever told us that your whole brain literally changes before your period. I’m not being dramatic — this is actually real science:
- Estrogen drops → you suddenly feel less confident
- Progesterone rises → your patience gets low low
- Cortisol goes up → everything stresses you out
- Serotonin dips → sadness hits a little harder
So when you feel like you’re “acting different,” you’re not.
Your body is literally doing a full software update and doesn’t warn you first.
Why Everything Feels Bigger Right Before Your Period
Let me say something real:
Your luteal phase doesn’t create new problems. It exposes the problems you’ve been trying to ignore.
You’re not actually mad that your mom asked you a simple question.
You’re mad because you’ve been holding in frustration for weeks.
You’re not crying because the grocery store ran out of oat milk.
You’re crying because your body doesn’t have the emotional padding to keep pretending you’re fine.
That week before your period is when everything hits raw.
No filter. No buffer. Just the truth.
The Nervous System Shift Nobody Explains
Your body becomes extra sensitive and overstimulated before your period.
It wants:
- quiet
- warmth
- slow mornings
- soft routines
- less people talking to you
- less noise
- less responsibilities
- more space
But life keeps going.
People keep needing you.
Bills keep billing.
Moms keep asking questions.
Family stays family.
So you explode… but you feel guilty.
You shut down… but you feel dramatic.
You cry… but you swear no one would understand.
Sis — it’s not weakness.
It’s biology.
Real Things That Actually Help (From Someone Who Still Deals With This)
I’m not about to give you a list of basic Pinterest tips like “drink water” (girl, be serious).
Here’s what actually helps me, and might help you too:
1. Herbal tea for mood support (this actually works)
Before my period, I use herbs like:
- Chamomile (calms your nervous system FAST)
- Raspberry leaf (supports cramps + mood)
- Chasteberry/Vitex (helps regulate PMS long-term)
Sometimes I take the tablets — they help me feel human again.
This isn’t a cure, but it gives your body what it’s asking for: grounding.
2. Say it out loud: “My period is coming — I’m not crazy.”
It sounds silly… but naming what’s happening takes the shame out of it.
You stop blaming yourself.
You stop thinking it’s a personality flaw.
You realize your body is literally doing the most behind the scenes.
3. Track your triggers, not just your symptoms
Most period trackers only let you track “bloating, cramps, cravings.”
Nah. Track THIS:
- Who made you irritated?
- What overwhelmed you?
- What gave you peace?
- What drained your whole soul?
This is how I found patterns I couldn’t see before.