Why do I feel less motivated before I get my period?

When I heard other people felt like this I realized how I am not alone!!

Most people who have periods, will experience some physical symptoms or mood changes before their period.  This is usually during the luteal phase and can include things like headaches, bloating, cramps, mood fluctuations and fatigue. 

Why do I feel more tired?

Feeling tired and lacking motivation is really common.  This can partly be linked to poor sleep due to physical pain and a higher body temperature, but also having less serotonin.  Serotonin is one of our “happy hormones” and fluctuates before the start of your period, which can mean you have less energy.  This can make it feel harder to participate in usual daily routines, including exercise.  Lower mood can also contribute to a lack of motivation.

Before your period, exercise might feel harder (a higher rate of perceived exertion - RPE), linked to having a higher body temperature and higher levels of cortisol (stress hormone).  Although in general, regular movement can be helpful in managing symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), high-intensity exercise might make symptoms worse, as this also increases cortisol levels.  Additional stress, whether physical or mental, during this time can lead to excessive fatigue and impact performance.

What is the link to motivation? 

However, motivation is complex.  Although premenstrual hormones have a part to play, so does your training load, enjoyment of your training, current goals and other experiences or commitments in your life, your mood and overall levels of stress in daily life.

Should PMS, feeling tired and lacking motivation stop you from getting out for your run?  You need to do what feels best for you body.  Sometimes that might mean skipping a run or a workout and cuddling up on the sofa and watching Netflix.  However, even if you don’t feel like it, sometimes we need to choose the opposite action.  Running during PMS can help improve mood as we get a rush of endorphins and happy hormones; and can increase energy levels and motivation in general.

Do what is right for you.

But get to know your body and what works for you.  Talk to your running coach and discuss what training is best for your body.  If it feels really hard to get out the door, say to yourself you’ll just go for 10 minutes and see how you feel; arrange to meet a friend to run with; or swap running for some gentler movement or stretching.  And don’t give yourself a hard time.  Changes in motivation are human, no one can feel driven all the time.