Today we dive into a topic that is probably recognizable to many of you: the menstrual cycle. But did you know that the hormone serotonin plays a major role in this? Serotonin is often known as the 'happiness hormone' because it influences your mood and general well-being. But what many people don't know is how this hormone can also influence your menstrual experience. Do you often feel gloomy or euphoric during your period? Do you experience a lot of pain or less? This may all have to do with your serotonin level. Let's take a look at how exactly this works, ⁣and how you might be able to gain more control over ⁣how you feel during your cycle. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy reading!

What is serotonin and why is it important for your period

Serotonin, also known as the “happiness hormone,” plays a crucial role in your menstrual experience. This neurotransmitter is mainly responsible for regulating your mood and therefore you may feel differently during the menstrual cycle. ⁢ Serotonin also affects other functions such as sleep and appetite and an imbalance can lead to symptoms such as irritability and fatigue. During the luteal phase of your cycle, serotonin levels often drop, which can contribute to mood swings and feelings of depression.

Your serotonin levels can be affected in different ways. Here are some factors that come into play during your menstrual cycle:

- Stress: High levels of stress can deplete serotonin, leading to poorer mood.

- Power supply: A diet high in carbohydrates can increase serotonin, while a diet low in nutrients can decrease it.

- Movement: Regular physical activity helps to maintain your serotonin levels.

In addition, an imbalance in serotonin can lead to: pre-menstrual ⁣syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDS).‌ This makes it essential to pay attention to your lifestyle and diet so that you can better navigate your menstrual cycle.

Factor	Influence on serotonin
Stress	Decline
Power supply	Increase
Movement	Increase

The role of serotonin in mood swings during your cycle

Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating your mood during your menstrual cycle. Changes in serotonin levels ⁢can lead to mood swings and other emotional fluctuations. During the ovulation phase, estrogen and progesterone levels rise, resulting in a natural increase in serotonin. However, in the luteal phase these hormones decrease, which can lead to a decrease in serotonin. This partly explains why many women feel emotionally vulnerable or irritable in the days leading up to their period. Some common symptoms of low serotonin during your cycle are:

- Mood swings

- Increased irritability

- Feelings of anxiety or depressive thoughts

‌Here ⁤is a quick comparison table of how serotonin ‌behaves in different phases:

Phase	Serotonin level
Follicular Phase	Average
Ovulation phase	High
Luteal Phase	Low

To improve your mood during your cycle, it is useful to pay extra attention to your serotonin level through, for example, a diet rich in tryptophan and regular exercise.

Tips and tricks to increase your serotonin intake during your period

To increase your serotonin level during your period, you can use various techniques. First of all, it is important to pay attention to your diet. Eat foods rich in tryptophan, such as nuts, seeds, cheese and turkey, because tryptophan is the basis for the production of serotonin. In addition, it may be useful to include complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, to include in your diet; these help stimulate the absorption of tryptophan in the brain.

In addition to paying attention to your diet, there are also other ways to increase your serotonin level. ⁢For example, regular ⁢exercise, such as walking‍or yoga, can significantly improve your‌ mood thanks to the endorphin release. Furthermore, daylight can work wonders because it supports the natural production of serotonin in your body. Don't forget to take good care of yourself and seek relaxation through meditation or a warm bath. ⁤Below‍you will find a handy overview of some tips:

- Power supply: nuts, seeds, cheese, turkey, whole grain products

- Movement: walking, yoga

- Daylight: at least 20 minutes outside every day

- Relaxation: meditation, hot bath

Technology	Benefit
Healthy food	Increased uptake of tryptophan
Practice daily⁣	Endorphin release
Sufficient daylight	Stimulation of serotonin production
Relaxation	Improving mood

Conclusion

We hope⁣ that you now have a better⁣ understanding of how serotonin can influence your menstrual experience. It's fascinating to see how our bodies work and how something as essential as a neurotransmitter can play a huge role in our daily well-being, especially during our menstrual cycle.

At Midwives Lelystad we want you to feel as good as possible, every day of the month. ⁤Do you have any questions or would you like more tips on how to support your menstruation naturally? Do not hesitate to contact us. Our midwives are always ready to help and advise you.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!