Although Aang has never possessed a uterus, he adequately portrays the PMS fatigue feeling with this pose.

I had an entirely different post planned for today, but it’s a little involved, I want to make sure I get it right, and quite frankly, I didn’t have the energy. Why no energy, you ask? Is it the stress of the holidays? Are you overtraining? No, my friend. It’s because there’s no sun and I’m about to start my period.

If you have a uterus, particularly if you’ve had an ‘active’ one for several decades, some of what I’m about to say may be familiar to you. We can be in agony together. I’m also going to be sharing a few things that help, in case that’s something you’re interested in. If not, feel free to just “cranky” along with me.

Am I imagining things, or is my PMS and all associated ills worse in the winter?

You are not imagining things. Vitamin D deficiency is a big factor in many PMS symptoms. Not only do we have less opportunity to get out in the sun in the winter months, when we do, it’s cold, so we’re covered up and thus we only maybe have our face exposed to absorb any of the weak winter sun’s rays. And some actually consider Vitamin D deficiency to be a worldwide epidemic.

I’m craving red wine and chocolate, so I should probably have those, right?

According to ‘studies,’ we might actually enjoy booze more during this misery, even though it does us no favors. Hm. Wonder why that is?

Listen. I’m not perfect all the time. I’m sure you’re not either. So I’m not going to blame you if you slip on this, but—sigh—no. The chocolate you crave, most likely, because of a need for magnesium. Magnesium also helps with the absorption of Vitamin D, so what I do is take a magnesium and Vitamin D supplement right before bed. (Magnesium is also a muscle relaxer, so it might help you get to sleep.) But there is some evidence that chocolate also just makes us happy, so a little chocolate is cool, I say. Wine, unfortunately, will just dehydrate you, add to your sugar intake and possibly increase the bloating and water retention the next day. We crave it at this time because our oestrogen levels are higher and it feels more rewarding. There are a lot of other theories about it and they all sound correct, but the bottom line is, although it may feel great at the time, it’s not going to relieve anything. You’re an adult, you make the informed decision about whether you want present-you to be happy or future-you.

Another reason this may hit you harder in the winter? Holiday festivities. We’re all generally tempted with more sugary treats and boozy occasions than at any other time of the year. It also seems more appropriate to indulge in these a little more frequently. Don’t be surprised if your December and January cycles are the worst of the year.

Maybe just try a few minutes of Pilates.

Moving is hard and I don’t want to do it. What’s wrong with me?

You’re exhausted because your hormone levels have crashed and your uterus is basically becoming a big wound as it wrings itself out to get rid of lining. Sadly, exercise may help. I know. The things we want, we shouldn’t have and the things we don’t want to do are the things that will make us feel better. I’m not saying go out and do a HIIT class or kill yourself at Soul Cycle, but walk, yoga, run if you like running, some kind of movement. It will get your blood flowing and give you an endorphin boost. God knows you need that right now. This is another reason that your symptoms may be worse in the winter. Depending on where you live, you likely move less naturally in the winter. You don’t have to mow the lawn, you’re not ‘playing’ outdoors as much with friends and family, etc. So, on top of everything else, you now have to find ways to move when you’re already feeling cruddy and it’s cold and dark out.

I had all these plans and ideas last week and this week my brain is barely working. I guess I should force my way through?

If you must force yourself through things, do try and at least make yourself comfortable. Photo by Dean.

If you are able to, give yourself a break, like I did with this entry. I had three great ideas for things I wanted to write last week. I wrote myself up a schedule for all the things I was going to do this week, because LAST week I still had all my hormones at reasonable levels. I’ve been told this many times, and I consistently DON’T do it, but planning activities cyclically can be a thing. I am getting better at giving myself grace though. (Only took 30+ years.) I don’t know why it takes so long to learn that when you’re motivation suddenly up and leaves and all you want to do is sleep, you’re probably going to start bleeding soon. If you have to force your way though, you have to, but when making plans, it might be good to check the calendar to see if you’re really going to be up for it. I scheduled my husband’s birthday party for Friday. I mean, I can’t move his birthday, so that day, I will throw some wine on it and just do what I can, but I can make the decision to not start that enormous task of washing all the windows in the house today and give myself a break. You’re not a slacker for needing one right now.

Another reason things can be worse in the winter. You’re likely in the throes of holiday season, whether you celebrate it or not, just because that’s what’s going on in the world. So there is already a tendency for your calendar to fill up with parties, gifts, traveling, etc. And since everyone else is doing the same thing, it can be a lot.

I’m older and suddenly everything is worse. Why is everything worse?

Ugh. I know, right? Everything is worse for a couple of reasons. One, you’re older and everything you’ve been doing to your body for all those years you’ve been alive is catching up to you. Both good things and bad things. For instance, I’ve been running since I was twelve. I’ve also had scoliosis since then. All of those imbalances and repetitive motion are catching up to me in the form of weird injuries. I’m combating a lot of them with physical therapy exercises and strength training, but in general I have to be more careful now. I have to buy certain shoes, not just whatever is on sale. I have to pay attention when something flares up and take a break, etc. Same thing with our insides, I think.

Two, depending on how old you are, hormones are starting to fizzle out. They’re like a Redi-Whip container that’s almost done but not quite. Some strong spurts, then some weak ones and a bunch at random times. I’m not quite ready to diving into an article about perimenopause just yet. I think I’m on the cusp, but I don’t think I’m fully there yet. And when I get there, you better believe the world will know how it feels.

I have less tolerance for assholes and idiots. And everyone seems to be an asshole or an idiot. Is it them or is it me?

Feeling less tolerant of those around you? Normal.

Probably a little from column A and a little from column B. When your hormones are low, you have less energy to put the ‘nice’ filter on your feelings. So things that may have been mildly irritating before, that you could brush off, now are full-on irritating and you feel like you have to say something. And you don’t have the energy to couch it in flowery terms. Don’t let anyone tell you that the feelings you feel during this time aren’t real, they are coming from a real place, you just don’t have the energy to be nice about it anymore. I have been in relationships in the past where I was told, “You always bring this up around your period, you’ll be fine in a few days.” And they were right, but that didn’t mean that the issue I was bringing up wasn’t valid. In fact, on both occasions that I’m thinking of, it ended up being the issue that ended the relationship.

On the other hand, this is a great time to do things like throw out old make-up, go through your closet, and any kind of small decluttering. You won’t feel like waffling and it will make it really easy to cut the wheat from the chaff.

So what do I do?

Be as good to yourself as you can. Know that winter won’t last forever. Get your Vitamin D levels checked if you haven’t already or up your supplement if it’s below 5000 IU. I also strongly advocate a magnesium supplement if you’re not on those. I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist, so obviously check with those people, but these are things that have helped me and have the research to back them up. Try and get some exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the block. Prioritize sleep, even if it’s a nap in the afternoon. Let your partner, or anyone living with you, know that you might need some extra grace. If they’re worth their salt, they’ll get it. If you can, save that extra holiday cookie for after you’ve started.

Hugs, my friends. It’s not yet 9pm and I think I would like to go to bed now. And you know what? That’s where I’m headed.

Hormones and Winter, a one-two punch.