How Trauma Affects the Menstrual Cycle: The Hidden Link Between PMS, PMDD, and Unresolved Stress

When I first began my trauma recovery journey, I had no idea that many of the symptoms I experienced during my menstrual cycle were actually trauma responses.

Painful periods.
Body dysmorphia.
Heavy bleeding.
Dark menstrual blood.
Crippling anxiety.
Mood swings.
Intense rage.

I thought something was wrong with me. For years, I was prescribed hormonal birth control to “fix” it. But it wasn’t until I began working with somatic therapies, breathwork, and trauma-informed menstrual cycle awareness that the truth became clear:

What if many women are living with undiagnosed trauma, and it’s showing up in their menstrual cycle as PMS or even PMDD?

Why This Matters

Living in a female body in a patriarchal culture is, in and of itself, traumatic. We are taught from a young age to abandon our needs, suppress our emotions, and override our inner wisdom just to fit in, perform, and keep the peace.

We’re praised for pushing through pain and rarely taught how to listen to the natural rhythms of our body. And yet, the female body is fundamentally different—biologically, neurologically, and hormonally—than the male body.

This isn’t a metaphor. It’s physiology. And the impact is profound.

Trauma and the Menstrual Cycle: The Science

Here’s what the research shows:

• The female endocrine system is governed by cyclical hormones—estrogen and progesterone—that influence brain function, stress response, and mood.

• Women tend to experience trauma symptoms like anxiety, mood dysregulation, and hyperarousal, while men often externalize stress through aggression or substance use.

• The HPA axis, which regulates our stress response, is deeply interconnected with the HPG axis, which governs reproductive hormones. Early trauma or chronic stress can dysregulate both.

• These fluctuations impact the menstrual cycle, increasing sensitivity to stress and emotional triggers—especially during the follicular and luteal phases.

In short, your PMS might not just be “normal.” It might be your body asking for healing.

What I’ve Discovered in My Own Cycle

Through years of tracking my cycle and combining it with somatic healing tools like breathwork and parts work, I’ve discovered two key “hot spots” when trauma tends to surface:

1. Inner Spring (Follicular Phase)

This is the time just after your period, when estrogen begins to rise. Many women feel a burst of energy, but for trauma survivors, this phase can unearth deep vulnerability and anxiety.

One study found that women with PTSD reported higher fear-avoidance symptoms and psychological distress in this early phase than any other. (PubMed)

I’ve noticed that in this phase, I sometimes feel unexpectedly tender—like parts of me are “thawing” that were previously frozen. Old stories resurface. My inner child shows up. This is when I need gentle support and compassionate self-care the most.

2. Inner Fall (Luteal Phase / Pre-menstruum)

This is when estrogen drops and progesterone rises. Estrogen acts as a buffer to our nervous system, so without it, we’re more exposed. More raw.

This is often when clients come to me saying:

“I feel like I’m losing my mind right before my period.”
“I’m filled with rage, shame, or sadness I can’t explain.”
“I think I might have PMDD.”

And they’re right—this can be a challenging phase. It’s also when unresolved trauma is most likely to show up in the form of physical symptoms (like cramps or pain) or emotional flashbacks (like self-criticism or anxiety).

But here’s the secret: when we support our system with trauma-informed tools, this can become the most healing time of the month.

Healing from Trauma Through the Menstrual Cycle

I’ve found that what works best for myself and my clients during these tender phases includes:

• Somatic breathwork to regulate the nervous system

• IFS (Parts Work) to support the inner child or protector parts that arise

• Journaling or art therapy to express what words can’t capture

• Slowing down and tuning into what the body is trying to say

Over time, my own cycle has transformed. My symptoms have softened. My emotions feel less overwhelming. And instead of dreading these phases, I’ve come to cherish them. They’ve become powerful invitations for deeper healing.

You’re Not Crazy. You’re Cyclical. And You’re Not Alone.

If you’ve ever felt like your period makes you “crazy”…

If you’ve been diagnosed with PMDD or suspect you might have it…

If you’ve experienced trauma and feel like your cycle is trying to tell you something…

You are not broken. You are wise. Your body is speaking.

And I want to help you listen.

Ready to Heal?

If you’re struggling with PMS, PMDD, or mood swings throughout your menstrual cycle—and you have a history of trauma, early childhood adversity, or emotional neglect—there’s a good chance your symptoms are not just hormonal. They’re rooted in the nervous system.

I invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation with me. In this session, we’ll explore:

• What’s currently happening in your body and cycle

• How unprocessed trauma may be influencing your symptoms

• How trauma-informed somatic support can help you feel more balanced, grounded, and in control

My work is rooted in compassion, safety, and honoring your body’s natural wisdom. Together, we can create a plan to help you heal.

👉 Click here to book your free consultation now

Because you deserve to feel safe in your body. And your cycle doesn’t have to be a battlefield. It can become your guide.