Why is moodiness linked to being “on your period” instead of “about to start period”?

r/

Not all women get PMS, and those who do usually have mild symptoms. Others experience more severe symptoms to the point we can start talking about PMDD. However, usually PMS symptoms disappear when one’s period starts.

Either way, the question “are you on your period” is not polite, but why do people have the misconception that moodiness happens “on your period” when PMS is literally short for “PRE menstrual syndrome”?

Comments

  1. WhyAreTheyAllTooketh Avatar

    It’s because a lot of people are ignorant and don’t fully understand the cycle of menstruation or the effects it has on mood, mind, and body. I wish more people would get it but sometimes ignorance feels like bliss.

  2. Wolfelle Avatar

    I never thought about this because im super moody even after the start of my period for a few days. though maybe thats just me hating my period lol.
    But ur right its probably just a misconception tbh

    Anyone being weird when women are emotional and automatically saying ‘ooo are u on ur period’ or whatever is just a jerk though.

  3. Rosy802701 Avatar

    Can it be post-menstrual syndrome? I feel like im more emotional near the end.

  4. Ok_Homework_7621 Avatar

    Tbh, I am often in a bad mood when I’m basically wearing a nappy. Bad cycle, tampons don’t hold long, the warmer the weather, the less you want to mess with me those days. I do usually manage to remain polite and professional, but it’s not the same level of effort.

  5. Im_eating_that Avatar

    “are you almost at the end of your sentence” doesn’t have the same ring

  6. Terrible_Role1157 Avatar

    A lot of my moodiness on my period just comes from having to deal with my period. I can’t speak for others, but I usually cramp and have back aches every day that I bleed. Being in pain, dealing with the mess, it just puts me in a bad mood.

  7. LawfulnessMajor3517 Avatar

    Well, I’m sure that women say stuff like this as well sometimes, but I’m assuming the answer to this is that the question mostly gets asked by people who’ve never had a period. And if they’re the type of person to ask that question they’re not the type of person to be bothered to look into what having a period entails.

    Rage inducing question. Right there with “did you take your medication today?” Yes, I just happen to be a person with feelings. Sorry your cold heart can’t relate. Sorry, I’m going off on a tangent now.

  8. ForsakenDiet6282 Avatar

    Women are moody in general, it is what it is I suppose.

  9. distraction_pie Avatar

    There’s more to the experience than the clinical. Before a period PMS might cause mood related symptoms that impact behavior, during a period the hassle of dealing with the bleeding and discomfort from cramps might impact behavior, to an observer it’s the behavior which is noticable not the specifics of why.

    Internally I am definitely aware of the difference between ‘my mood is volatile for hormonal reasons’ and ‘dealing with cramps and bleeding is already using up 90% of my patience so I have limited additional capacity for being patient with other people’s BS’ but from an outsider perspective both of those things just look like ‘huh she’s tetchier at this time of the month’.