Hormonal health isn’t something that gets talked about much, at least in my experience. But it should be. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance affect your mood, energy, day-to-day functioning, and relationships. The mood swings you experience from hormonal issues can make you feel crazy.
I have PMDD, which is Premenstrual Dystrophic Disorder… Imagine normal PMS on steroids. PMDD can cause irritability, nervousness, anger, agitation, anxiety, and depression (here’s more info on John Hopkins). In my experience, this has looked like about one week every month of high energy but intense anxiety and increased social anxiety, followed by at least one to two weeks each month of low mood, low energy, insecurity, and feelings of isolation. I talk more about the emotional lows of PMDD in my post The Dark Days. Even though I now know that these feelings will improve at the start of my menstrual cycle, experiencing them each month is just as difficult.
Before I knew about PMDD, I questioned what was wrong with me. I researched mental illnesses and was convinced for a while that I must have bipolar disorder (I don’t). I knew that I wasn’t depressed because the fog would lift every couple of weeks and I would consistently have happier days – even if they only happened one week out of the month. I felt so confused by my ups and downs until I realized they were tied to my cycle, and a medical provider explained PMDD to me.
Of course, PMS symptoms are easily and commonly written off. But it’s not just a normal “female problem.” If you struggle with these kinds of symptoms related to your menstrual cycle, you are experiencing something real and difficult, and you are not alone.
The Cycle
Since symptoms of PMDD occur in a cycle, it can become very discouraging. Honestly, depressing. The way that I’ve best coped with hormonal imbalance is to remember that I WILL feel better again. The darkest days only last for a limited time. With this knowledge, I find peace even when it can seem like these intense emotions will last forever. God has seen me through every hormonal mire or period of intense anxiety.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth,
Psalm 40:1-3
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
These words from David describe each month with PMDD for me. Although God hasn’t taken this struggle away from me, he brings me out of the darkness each month. And not just when my hormones reset at the start of my cycle. God gives me a “new song” even during the worst nights when I’m crying and I couldn’t even tell you why. He sets my feet upon steady ground when I pray through tears for peace and for rest. As I pray, my tearful requests truly turn to praises.
Along with recognizing that the cycle has ups and downs and better days will come, having a constant and finding support has been the most helpful in navigating hormonal imbalance.
What Is Your Constant?
In the middle of these times, it’s important to remember that your feelings matter…and they don’t. A counselor once told me, “Feelings aren’t facts.” Oh, man. I almost wanted to argue when she said this, but it has since become a motto to live by in times of hormonal turbulence. Your feelings are real, but they don’t always reflect reality.
In particular, your feelings don’t change how GOD feels about YOU. I love how Deb Burma puts it in her devotional study “Leaning on Jesus” –
“God is not suprised by our fears or feelings. He uses them to have us lean even harder, to rest in His arms as we proclaim to the world that the Lord is worthy of all our praise!”
Deb Burma
You have to know that although hormones and emotions fluctuate, God’s love, grace, and truth do not. He is a constant we can rely on. And he wants us to find our rest in him.
Who Is Your Support?
It’s also vitally important to look for support. My support comes from my husband, sister, and mom.
Who do you have in your life who lifts you up when your hormones are bringing you down? If you haven’t talked to anyone about your experience, I highly suggest that you do.
- Make a list of family members or friends who are trustworthy and good listeners.
- Ask them if you can share your experience with PMDD or hormonal imbalance with them.
- Go ahead and ask if it’s okay if you reach out when you’re struggling. This way you don’t have to worry about burdening or bothering someone – you’ve already communicated and gotten the OK from them to share!
- Keep a list of those you can reach out to when you’re having a rough hormonal day, you feel unstable, or you need encouragement. Having a physical list to look at can help you remember that you are NOT alone.
- Reach out when you need to! Send a quick text, leave them a voice message, or call. It can feel scary to reach out, but it is so helpful just to tell someone when you’re struggling. They can remind you that your hormones are at play and things will get better.
Hormonal imbalance is real and its effects are life-altering. On the worst days, remember that better days are coming. God’s love is constant even when your mood or emotions are not.
3 Responses
I definitely and there with you. Thank you for talking about this.
Excellent article but I would add seeing a doctor that is open to traditional and non traditional medicine. Being on bio-identical hormones has really helped me with my hormones and 2 autoimmune diseases.
That’s so good! I absolutely agree it’s important to seek good medical care and treatment for hormonal imbalance!