When it comes to periods, we’ve made progress. Schools and organizations are distributing sanitary pads. Parents are more open to the topic. We’re talking about it.
But amid all the focus on products and physical symptoms, we’re missing the bigger picture:
What about the mood swings, anxiety, panic, sadness, and rage that come with the cycle?
Girls and women are struggling. And no one’s talking about it.
The Other Side of the Cycle No One Talks About
Periods are more than a biological bleed. They’re a neurochemical rollercoaster that many girls and women experience every month.
Hormones rise and fall—and for some, those shifts feel like:
- Anxiety attacks before school
- Unexpected tears or outbursts
- Shame and confusion
- Silence, isolation, or depression
And because we don’t talk about period mental health, these symptoms are dismissed, misdiagnosed—or missed entirely.
“She’s Just Being Moody” — Or Is It Something More Serious?
Here’s what I see as a psychiatrist in Nairobi:
Girls are suffering in silence. Parents are worried. Schools are confused.
And many of these girls may have:
PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
Anxiety or depression worsened by the cycle
Emotional dysregulation linked to hormonal changes
💡 If the symptoms disappear as soon as the period starts, it’s a clue that the cycle is playing a major role.
Why Period Mental Health Affects More Than the Home
When mental symptoms are ignored:
- Girls fall behind in school
- Women burn out quietly at work
- Parents feel helpless and frustrated
- Mental illness goes unrecognized
It’s not just a home issue. It’s an educational, occupational, and social issue.
It’s Time to Expand the Conversation
What if our period education included:
- How to track emotions during the cycle
- How to talk about mood changes without shame
- The difference between PMS and PMDD
- Support strategies for parents, teachers, and coaches
This isn’t over-medicalizing. It’s empowering.
A Free Resource to Get You Started
At Malaika Wellness Hub, we’ve created a free eBook:
🩸 Mental Health and Your Periods: A Guide for Parents and Adolescents
📥 Download the free eBook: Mental Health and Your Periods
Inside, you’ll find:
✅ How to recognize signs of emotional distress
✅ Tools for parents and schools
✅ What support looks like—at home, school, and work
Let’s Redefine Period Care
Yes, we need period products.
But we also need to address the emotional poverty that comes with untreated period mental health issues.
Give girls more than pads.
Give them language, support, and dignity.
Regards,
Dr. Malaika Kamenju
Consultant Psychiatrist