Okay, so let’s talk about hormones—and not in that weird, outdated “teenage mood swings” way that people like to joke about. If you’ve ever felt like your emotions were on a rollercoaster for no reason, guess what? There actually is a reason, and it has everything to do with what’s happening inside your body.

Adolescence is basically the grand kickoff to fluctuating hormones, and estrogen and progesterone are calling the shots. One minute, they’re up, the next, they’re crashing, and in the process, they’re messing with serotonin and dopamine—two of the biggest players in mood regulation. Ever felt like you were on top of the world one day and totally overwhelmed the next? Yeah, blame those shifting hormone levels.

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And it’s not just about feeling a little extra emotional. Some people experience full-blown PMS, and in more severe cases, something called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), which can bring on anxiety and depression symptoms that are no joke. In fact, studies show that up to 64% of adolescents experience some form of PMS, and a portion of them deal with PMDD, which is linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression.

But here’s the frustrating part—no one really talks about this enough. Schools don’t exactly teach “Hormones 101,” and most of us are left piecing things together from TikTok, group chats, or just wondering, Is this normal? (Spoiler: it is, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.)

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So what actually helps? First, knowing that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Stress makes everything worse—thanks to cortisol, which ramps up when we’re overwhelmed. That’s why things like exercise, mindfulness, and eating foods that support hormonal balance (hello, Omega-3s and magnesium!) actually matter. Studies show that regular exercise can help regulate cortisol and improve mood stability, and mindfulness practices like meditation can make anxiety way more manageable.

And therapy? Total game-changer. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven to help people deal with mood fluctuations by giving them real tools to navigate tough emotional shifts. And if you’re dealing with something more intense, like PMDD, working with a doctor to figure out treatment options—including hormonal support—can make all the difference.

Bottom line: You’re not alone in this. Your hormones might be making things feel messy, but there are real, science-backed ways to support yourself. And the more we talk about this stuff, the less overwhelming it becomes. So next time someone tries to brush off your emotions as “just hormones,” you can confidently say, “Yeah, and hormones affect everything—so let’s actually talk about them.”