Crying on Your Period for No Reason: Is It a Normal Symptom?

Disclaimer: Cranberry.Fit aims to empower women with health information and actionable guidance rooted in evidence. Our Berry Wiki articles are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment, or before trying anything new, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

• Researched and written by: Vaibhavi Kodnani, UG Dip. (Comm. Design, 4 yrs)
• Medical inputs by: Dr Poonguzhali Liston, MBBS, MS OBG, FMAS, DRM, FRM, CIMP
• Medically reviewed by: Dr Yash Bahuguna, MBBS, MS, DNB, ISGE Certified Practitioner for PCOS

TL;DR

• Crying before or during menstruation is associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).[1]

• Hormonal changes and brain chemical shifts during the late luteal or premenstrual phase likely cause mood swings and crying spells.[2]

• Some women are more prone to crying due to hormonal sensitivity,[3] health conditions, and certain lifestyle factors.

• Uncontrollable crying accompanied by other emotional and physical symptoms needs medical attention as it may suggest an underlying condition.[1]

• Lifestyle interventions like a complex carbohydrate diet, routine physical activity, stress management, and quality sleep can significantly improve symptoms of PMS, like mood swings and crying.[1]

Is It Normal to Cry on Your Period for No Reason?

Crying on your period for no apparent reason can be a confusing experience, especially when you wouldn't usually get so emotional in the same situation.

But the short answer is: yes, crying spells are common and completely normal during PMS and the first few days of your period. For some, crying is the main symptom. Others may notice other physical and emotional changes along with it, such as sadness, anger outbursts, irritability, anxiety, cravings, bloating, breast tenderness, and fatigue.[1]

What Causes Crying During Your Period?

While crying before and during your period is normal, learning why it happens can be reassuring. It can help you understand that nothing may be 'wrong' with you. 

Currently, experts believe that the emotional shifts are primarily due to hormonal fluctuations that affect brain chemistry. Estrogen and progesterone are the two hormones that rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle.

Around a week before your period, also known as the late luteal or premenstrual phase, both of these hormones decline. The decline in estrogen and progesterone levels leads to a decrease in neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine.[2] 

Serotonin and dopamine are known as the 'happy' and 'feel-good' chemicals because they play a significant role in mood regulation. When their levels are low, you may naturally feel sad and anxious, which can increase the likelihood of crying.

When serotonin levels are low, it can also make it challenging to fall asleep at night. It can make you irritable and fatigued during the day, and as a result, you may find yourself crying easily.[4] 

Low progesterone also influences Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), the brain chemical known to have a calming effect on the body. Decreased GABA activity is associated with mood changes like anxiety and depression, which can increase crying spells.[5]

Why Are Some Women More Prone to Crying During Their Period Than Others?

Every woman experiences different PMS and period symptoms. Some may cry more than others. It can happen mainly due to three reasons: hormonal sensitivity, health conditions, and lifestyle.

Hormonal sensitivity 

Research suggests that some women's bodies are more sensitive to hormonal shifts.[3] That's why when the brain chemicals get imbalanced due to decreasing estrogen and progesterone levels during the late luteal phase and first few days of their period, they may experience stronger symptoms, including excessive crying.

Health conditions

Women with certain pre-existing conditions, such as anxiety, depression, thyroid disease, and menstrual migraine, may experience more severe PMS symptoms. The intense emotional changes can make them more prone to crying.[1]

Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress, have a direct impact on mood. Sugary and processed foods, low protein intake, a sedentary lifestyle, poor-quality sleep, and chronic stress can lead to frequent blood sugar fluctuations.[1] It can increase irritability, anxiety, and fatigue, leading to crying spells.

PMS and PMDD: Understanding the Differences

Some women may experience a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD can disrupt your personal, work, and social life. For instance, it may affect your productivity, efficiency, and relationships. 

PMDD typically begins in the luteal phase, following ovulation. The cause of PMDD is mainly unknown. But researchers have found women with PMDD to be more sensitive to fluctuations in serotonin and GABA activity during the late luteal or premenstrual phase. 

PMDD causes strong emotional symptoms such as intense mood swings, sudden bouts of crying, irritability, anger, depression, anxiety, and more. Physical changes, such as fatigue, breast tenderness, bloating, insomnia, and food cravings, are also noticeably severe.[1,6] 

See a doctor for unusual signs and symptoms

It is a good idea to talk to your doctor or approach a mental health professional if you notice that your crying: 

• Feels overwhelming or uncontrollable

• Interferes with work, relationships, or daily life

• Comes with feelings of hopelessness or unsafe thoughts

• Persists beyond your period

• Is getting worse over time

• Is a new symptom or has developed suddenly later in life

The provider will conduct the required diagnostic tests to understand if it's PMDD or an exacerbation of another underlying health condition. Treatment may include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and combined birth control pills.

Note: PMDD symptoms may resemble other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The key difference is that PMDD symptoms appear in the luteal phase and improve in the follicular phase, while anxiety and depression can be present throughout the month.

What Can Help You Feel Better During Your Period?

You can effectively reduce the intensity of mood swings and crying around your period by making simple changes in your lifestyle. Guidelines and evidence offer the following recommendations:

Complex carbohydrate diet and protein intake

Being mindful of your food choices in the days leading up to your period can make a difference. Focus on consuming a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, including whole grain foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and legumes, especially during the premenstrual and menstrual phases. It can stabilise blood sugar levels and keep you fuller for a longer period, preventing intense cravings and mood changes during your period. 

It is also a good idea to increase your protein intake throughout the cycle to enhance hormonal balance, improve energy levels, and increase satiety. The recommended daily intake is 1–1.2 g/kg body weight.[7] 

Remember: Increasing protein intake may cause bloating and changes in bowel movements during the first few days. Remember to gradually incorporate it into your diet, ensuring you have enough fibre and hydration to support digestion. Additionally, be mindful of consuming protein-rich sources during the premenstrual phase, as it can exacerbate PMS bloating. 

Cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and low-impact workouts

When we exercise or engage in other forms of physical activity, our brain releases endorphins—the body's 'feel-good' chemicals. It helps relieve stress, improves mood, and boosts well-being.

7–9 hours of sleep

Getting 7–9 hours of good quality sleep every night is essential for rejuvenation and reducing feelings of irritability during the day. Maintaining healthy sleep habits, such as going to bed at the same time every night, is beneficial. If you are experiencing PMS insomnia, consider following these tips.[8]

• Avoid caffeine in the evenings (after 5 pm)

• Enjoy a magnesium-rich snack, such as nuts, seeds, dates, or a banana, at least an hour before bed.

• Switch off electronics an hour before you sleep.

• Prepare a cosy and dark sleeping room.

• Take a warm shower

• Practice deep breathing exercises and gentle stretching.

Stress management techniques

Practising stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation has been shown to activate the calming system of the body (parasympathetic nervous system). It reduces the stress hormone cortisol, regulates heart rate and breathing, and promotes relaxation in the body.[1]

Berry’s Tips: How Can You Control Your Crying?

While there's nothing wrong with crying, you may find yourself in a situation when you want to control your emotions. Crying in a work meeting, on public transportation, or in other public settings can draw unnecessary attention. It may make you feel embarrassed and trigger stressful thoughts, which may further intensify mood swings. 

Various simple techniques can help you stop yourself from crying. Here are some of the most effective doctor-backed techniques that you can use anywhere without anyone noticing: 

• Breathwork: Deep breathing can calm your nervous system and put you at immediate ease. While there are various techniques, one of the simplest ones is the 4-2-6 breathing technique. In this exercise, inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for two seconds, and exhale gradually for six seconds. Focusing on your breathing can also distract you from your emotions, which may prevent tears.

• Grounding exercises: Physical grounding exercises involve using your senses to divert your attention to the present moment. For instance, you can clench and release your fists, touch something cold, such as a metal water bottle, or press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. You can even try mental grounding exercises like counting backwards from 20 or naming five objects around you. Engaging in a mental activity can distract the brain and help you break out of an emotional spiral. 

• Change your posture: Research shows a link between posture and emotions.[9] A slumped posture increases the likelihood of experiencing sadness, fear, and nervousness. On the other hand, sitting upright or standing straight boosts mood and confidence. If you feel you're about to cry, changing your posture may help you regain some emotional control.

• Drink water: If you are about to cry or find yourself crying, taking a few sips of cold water gives the body a brief pause, slows breathing and heart rate, and activates your calming system.

One more tip: Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you recognise emotional patterns. When you know the days you are more likely to cry, you can plan your schedule accordingly and avoid inconvenient situations.

Takeaway

You may cry before and during your period. It's a typical PMS symptom. Simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing complex carbohydrates in your diet, getting 7–9 hours of sleep every night, and exercising, can help reduce sadness and irritability that may lead to crying. But if your symptoms are severe or disrupting your daily functioning, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.

FAQs on Crying During Menstruation

Which hormones make you cry?

A drop in estrogen and progesterone during the premenstrual phase affects feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which can trigger crying.

Is sadness weeks before your period a form of depression?

Mild sadness is a common PMS symptom. However, if you experience intense mood swings, sudden uncontrollable crying, anxiety, or other severe emotional changes, it may indicate a more serious form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

How long do period-related mood changes usually last?

Mood swings typically begin around a week before the period and can persist into the first few days of the menstrual cycle.

References

At Cranberry.Fit, we prioritize medical accuracy and evidence-based information. All our Berry Wiki articles are grounded in clinical practice guidelines, peer-reviewed research, clinical trials, and guidance from leading medical journals and associations.

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Premenstrual syndrome. Accessed December 16, 2025.

2. Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. Premenstrual syndrome.

3. Pope CJ, Oinonen K, Mazmanian D, Stone S. The hormonal sensitivity hypothesis: a review and new findings. Medical hypotheses. 2017 May 1;102:69-77.

4. Bamalan OA, Moore MJ, Al Khalili Y. Physiology, serotonin. InStatPearls [internet] 2023 Jul 30. StatPearls Publishing.

5. Hantsoo L, Epperson CN. Allopregnanolone in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Evidence for dysregulated sensitivity to GABA-A receptor modulating neuroactive steroids across the menstrual cycle. Neurobiology of Stress. 2020 May 1;12:100213.

6. Reid RL. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (formerly premenstrual syndrome).

7. ISSA. Women and protein – an essential guide. Accessed December 16, 2025.

8. McNamara S, Spurling BC, Bollu PC. Chronic insomnia. InStatPearls [Internet] 2025 Mar 28. StatPearls Publishing.

9. Nair S, Sagar M, Sollers III J, Consedine N, Broadbent E. Do slumped and upright postures affect stress responses? A randomized trial. Health Psychology. 2015 Jun;34(6):632.