PCOS mood swings: Why they happen and how to manage them

In a nutshell

PCOS mood swings can include feelings of irritability, anger, sadness, and heightened and fast-changing emotions. Though we don’t fully understand why, we know PCOS puts women at an increased risk of several mood disorders. Hormonal imbalances may be to blame for PCOS mood swings.

Polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition that affects one in ten women. Despite its prevalence, scientists are still learning about this condition and its impact on quality of life.

PCOS is known to affect mood, with PCOS sufferers having an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and emotional stress. A 2024 review of PCOS published in Zeal Journals lists mood swings as one of the symptoms of PCOS.

While many people joke about mood swings, they are a serious symptom that can have a significant impact on your daily life. If you’re currently suffering from mood swings, you’ll know they can be scary. Luckily, there are treatment options available to you.

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The PCOS emotional rollercoaster

PCOS is a metabolic condition that impacts daily life. Common symptoms include:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Excessive hair and body hair
• Weight gain
• Acne
• Thinning hair of the scalp
• Difficulty getting pregnant

PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, and many women don’t find out they have PCOS until they undergo fertility testing after struggling to conceive.

PCOS mood symptoms

A 2024 review in Medicine found that PCOS causes a lot of stress, including metabolic, oxidative, inflammatory, and emotional stress. An extensive research review published in Endocrine in 2018 found that women with PCOS were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and that they suffered from more severe symptoms than those without PCOS.

PCOS mood swings may include a mix of emotions, such as PCOS anger, PCOS irritability, and a heightened sense of these emotions. Your mood may change quickly, from sad to angry, for example, leaving those around you confused by your sudden outbursts of emotion.

Experiencing mood swings can be scary. You may feel unable to control your emotions or even understand why you are feeling such strong feelings in the first place. Luckily, there are treatment options that can help alleviate mood swings and help you feel more like yourself again.

Why does PCOS cause mood swings?

The reasons PCOS impacts mood are not yet fully understood. Previously, scientists thought it was due to the emotional impact of PCOS symptoms such as facial hair, weight gain, and infertility causing depressive symptoms. Now, however, it’s thought to be underlying factors associated with PCOS, such as the hormonal imbalance, to blame.

Hormonal imbalance

Women with PCOS have higher levels of androgens. A small study published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2004 found that higher levels of androgens were associated with mood disorders in women with PCOS.

Inflammation

Women with PCOS have chronic inflammation inside the body. Inflammation can have a huge impact on health, including mood. Luckily, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce inflammation and boost your mood.

Obesity

Not all women with PCOS are overweight, but one of the potential symptoms of PCOS is weight gain. It can be challenging to lose weight with PCOS, which is one reason why women with PCOS end up carrying excessive weight. Obesity increases your risk of depression. There are several theories about why, including self-esteem, inflammation, and gut health.

Insulin resistance

A 2019 study published in Fertility and Sterility found that insulin resistance is linked with depression in women with PCOS. Scientists don’t yet understand the relationship between the conditions. Insulin resistance is associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

PCOS mood swings treatment

A 2023 study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment found that treating PCOS reduced psychiatric symptoms associated with PCOD, including depressive symptoms. You should speak to your doctor to see what treatment options they recommend if you’re struggling with mood swings. They may suggest the following:

Hormonal contraceptives

Assuming a hormonal imbalance causes your mood swings, hormonal contraceptives might help. The contraceptive pill, patch, shot, and hormonal IUD might help to alleviate your symptoms. Hormonal contraceptives are a popular treatment option for women with PCOS.

Exercise

Exercise is known to improve mood, combat depressive symptoms, and reduce stress. A 2022 small study published in Psychology, Health and Medicine found that a single bout of exercise decreased sadness, anxiety, and irritability. Not only will regular exercise help you to combat your mood swings, but exercising when you feel a mood swing coming on could help eradicate it.

Sleep

You’ve probably noticed you experience more mood swings when you’re tired. Irritability is a common symptom of not getting enough sleep. Prioritize sleep to help combat your mood swings and low mood. Aim for a solid eight hours of sleep a night. Go to bed on time, avoid screens the hour before bed, and create a restful sleep space free from distractions.

Manage your stress levels

Women with PCOS have higher stress levels, both in terms of emotional and physical stress. A 2019 study published in Psychological Medicine found that stress was likely a contributing factor to mood disorders in women with PCOS. Mindfulness, yoga, regular exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can all help you manage stress.

Eat a balanced diet

The food we eat can impact how we feel. Unsurprisingly, the quality of the fuel we eat throughout the day can affect how well our bodies function. If you suffer from insulin resistance, your blood sugar levels may affect your feelings. A 2020 article published in the British Medical Journal found that eating a healthy and nutritious diet could bring psychological benefits.

Try eating a low glycemic diet and avoiding foods that cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Watch out for junk food, processed foods, sodas, and red meats. Instead, focus on fresh fruits, veggies, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.

Find a support group

Living with a chronic condition like PCOS can be challenging. Not only do you have to deal with the chronic symptoms, but you’ll also find those around you underestimate the impact PCOS can have on your life. Find a support group for women with PCOS. This will help you meet other people who understand your daily challenges and give you space to talk about your feelings to people who know what you’re going through.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to help manage stress, reduce irritability, and alleviate depression. Talk therapy is another therapy option that could help to reduce your mood swings. Your therapist will explore your feelings and teach you tools to help stave off mood swings and other psychiatric symptoms associated with PCOS. Speak to your doctor for a referral to a therapist with a good understanding of PCOS and its impact on quality of life.

Summary

Mood swings are often the butt of the joke, but they’re not funny. In fact, they can greatly impact your daily life and relationships with those around you. Women with PCOS often experience mood swings in the form of irritability, frustration, heightened emotions, and quickly changing moods.

Luckily, there are treatment options available to help. Treating your PCOS could reduce symptoms, including mood swings. Speak to your doctor to determine which treatment options are suitable for you. They might recommend hormonal contraceptives to balance your hormones, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques.