There’s a nervous system disruptor we don’t talk about enough.
It starts with a P.
And no, this isn’t about mindset, willpower, or “managing stress better.”
It’s about PMS, PMDD, and perimenopause—and how deeply they impact your nervous system.
If you’ve ever had a week where everything feels louder, heavier, sharper…
where your patience is thin, your anxiety is high, and you don’t quite recognize yourself,
This might explain more than you think.
About twenty years ago, I remember being so angry while driving that a thought flashed through my mind that scared me.
It wasn’t a plan.
I didn’t want to act on it.
But the intensity of the thought itself stopped me cold.
That wasn’t me.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m usually calm. Grounded. Steady.
I can feel anger when it’s warranted—but this felt different. Bigger. Uncontained.
And that scared me enough to talk to my OB-GYN.
With some tracking, body attunement, and honest conversation, a pattern became clear.
The anxiety.
The irritability.
The sudden anger that didn’t match the moment.
It showed up the week before my menstrual cycle.
That’s when I was diagnosed with PMDD.
Here’s the part I wish more women were told sooner:
Hormonal shifts aren’t “just emotional.”
They directly affect your nervous system.
Changes in estrogen and progesterone influence:
serotonin (mood stability)
cortisol (stress response)
sleep quality
emotional regulation
threat sensitivity
When these hormones fluctuate, your nervous system can move into fight-or-flight without your permission.
So when you feel:
more reactive than usual
more anxious or on edge
more irritable or hopeless
more overwhelmed by things you usually handle
…it may not be a personal failing.
It may be biology.
And I want to say this clearly:
You are not “too much.”
You are not losing your mind.
You are not broken.
Your nervous system may simply be responding to a hormonal shift that no one ever taught you to name.
Tracking your cycle isn’t about control—it’s about context.
Context brings compassion.
And compassion changes how you treat yourself during hard weeks.
A gentle check-in for this week
If you notice yourself feeling “off,” ask:
What week of my cycle am I in, and what does my nervous system need more of right now?
Rest?
Boundaries?
Less stimulation?
More support?
There’s no reward for pushing through this one.
If you want something to support you through this
I created The Calm Rhythm™—a Rest & Digest nervous system guide for women who hold a lot.
Made with love
It’s a 21-page, go-at-your-own-pace guide designed to help you:
understand what’s happening in your nervous system
recognize when you’re in survival mode
gently guide your body back toward calm
Not to fix you.
Just to give your nervous system somewhere safe to land.
You can learn more about it here if it feels supportive for this season.
Before you go
If this resonated, consider sharing it with a woman who’s been quietly wondering what’s wrong with her.
Nothing is wrong with her.
She just needs language, and support.
I’m here with you. 🤍