Prior To My Period I Feel Lethargic And Depressed.

Question: I have noticed a pattern in my menstrual cycle. The week prior to my period I feel lethargic and depressed. Often I wake in the night feeling intensely miserable. I try to have positive thoughts, get enough exercise, drink litres and litres of water and eat healthy food, all to no avail. Nothing seems to alter the situation. I'm wondering whether there is a way to determine if it might be solely due to chemical or hormonal imbalance - something I should just resign myself to.

Answer: Please do have a hormonal and vitamin/mineral assessment to determine if your levels are within normal range for your age. While it's common to have a slight drop in energy prior to one's period, regular depressive bouts are not something to resign oneself to and may even indicate an underlying issue that needs exploring! A counsellor may be able to assist you in this process.

Answer provided by: Gemma Summers