Why do I cry so easily before my period?

georgiebday
May 27
3 min read

The emotional rollercoaster explained (and how to ride it with a little more ease).

Yes, I know this feeling all too well.

A sad movie, a song with a memory, clumsily dropping a glass, a frustrating colleague or a rude driver, and suddenly you’re in tears. You're asking yourself “Why on earth am I crying?!”

Here’s what’s actually going on in your body, and why it makes total sense.

It’s not just you being “too sensitive”.

Let’s clear this up straight away: you’re not weak, crazy, dramatic, or broken.

You're hormonally human.

In the week or so before your period (aka your late- Luteal Phase), your hormones shift in a big way - especially progesterone and oestrogen, which directly affect your brain chemistry, mood, and emotional regulation.

1. Progesterone is doing a steep drop-off

After ovulation, progesterone rises to support a potential pregnancy. If you don’t conceive that cycle, progesterone levels drop sharply right before your period. That drop can make you feel more irritable, weepy, sensitive, overwhelmed… or all of the above.

Some people feel chilled and calm when progesterone is high (mid-luteal). But when it plummets? Emotional chaos can feel like it’s bubbling just under the surface.

Progesterone is kinda like a calming housemate, friend, or sister. When she leaves town, suddenly your emotions feel a bit more... intense.

2. Oestrogen affects serotonin (your mood regulator)

Oestrogen helps stimulate serotonin - yes, that's the renowned feel-good neurotransmitter that keeps you emotionally steady. As oestrogen dips in your pre-menstrual phase, your serotonin may dip too, making it harder to stay emotionally balanced.

So those tearful outbursts or heavy heart moments? Biochemically, they do make sense.

3. Blood sugar is sneakily messing with you

Here’s one people often miss. During the Luteal Phase, you become slightly more insulin resistant, which means your blood sugar can spike and crash more easily.

Cue mood swings, hanger & 'hangriness', shakiness, irritability, crying spells... If you’ve ever sobbed uncontrollably and then realised you hadn’t eaten in 5 hours… this might be why.

Side note: craving chocolate? It’s your body seeking quick glucose (energy - that's dipping and crashing), magnesium (supports relaxation, can ease cramps and PMS symptoms), as well as serotonin (that your body converts from chocolate's tryptophan).

4. You’re overstimulated, under-rested, and near your edge

Let’s be real: life doesn’t slow down just because your hormones are shifting. But the pre-menstrual phase is when your nervous system is more sensitive to stimulation, conflict, noise, clutter, chaos. The tiniest trigger (like dropping your keys or getting cut off in traffic) can feel huge.

You’re not fragile - you’re simply more raw. And your body is asking for more softness.

What to do when the crying hits?

(If you can,) (maybe sneak to the bathroom or somewhere private,) - Cry It Out.

Emotion is energy in motion. Whether that's frustration, confusion, overstimulation, tiredness - sometimes the only way over something is through, and 9 times out of 10 I ALWAYS feel better after a good ol cry.

How to manage (so you're not a continual emotional trigger):

Eat regularly. Snack, or make sure you eat something every 2-3 hours (fasting is not beneficial nor productive for women in this phase). And ensure your meals are balanced; with protein, healthy fats, and slow-release carbs keep your blood sugar (and mood) more stable.
Limit caffeine + alcohol. Both mess with blood sugar and emotional regulation, causing spikes (and then - yep, you guessed it - crashes).
Say no more often. Your tolerance for stress is lower now, and that’s OK.
Journal or cry it out. Releasing emotions is healthy—it’s your body processing.
Remind yourself: This is a phase. It will pass.

Bottom line?

You cry easily before your period because your body is shifting gears hormonally, emotionally, and neurologically. There’s nothing wrong with you. If anything, this phase is asking you to slow down, tune in, and let some things go - whether it’s through tears, silence, or simply giving yourself more grace.

You’re not “too much.” You’re just responding honestly to what your body is doing beneath the surface. And honestly? That’s something to honour, not hide.