Does Ovulation Make You Emotional? Here's What Science Shows

Feeling like an emotional roller coaster around the middle of your cycle? You're definitely not alone. While we talk a lot about premenstrual mood swings, ovulation can actually affect how you feel, too. Let's explore what's really happening and what you can do about it.

Is it normal to get emotional during ovulation?

Absolutely. Your body is doing a lot around ovulation, and hormone surges are a big part of it. Here's what's happening: just before ovulation, your estrogen levels spike to help your egg mature and get ready for release. This hormonal shift can definitely affect how you feel emotionally.

Research shows that about 20-30% of women notice clear mood changes during ovulation.¹ Some feel happier and more energized. Others might experience mood swings or feel more sensitive. Both are totally normal responses to the hormonal changes your body is going through.

The key thing to know? Your experience might be completely different from someone else's. "Hormonal changes around ovulation can cause a wide variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all.” Some months you might feel nothing, and other months you might notice significant changes. That's all normal.

Want to understand what's actually happening in your brain? Check out Samphire's brain-based perspective on ovulation and mood to dive deeper into the neuroscience behind cycle-related emotions.

Why do some people get emotional during ovulation?

To understand what's happening with your mood, it helps to know the basic hormones involved. The main players are estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Before ovulation: the mood boost

In the days leading up to ovulation, your estrogen levels rise. This rising estrogen is linked to increased serotonin production, which is the "happy hormone" your brain uses to regulate mood. That's why you might feel more positive, confident, and energized just before you ovulate. Many women describe this as their best-feeling time of the month.

Here's something interesting: research comparing naturally-cycling women to those using hormonal contraceptives found that positive mood significantly increased during ovulation in women who were actually ovulating.²

The women using hormonal contraceptives (which prevent ovulation) didn't show these same mood boosts. This tells us it's specifically the ovulation process itself, including that LH surge, that's driving these emotional changes.

After ovulation: the mood dip

Once you ovulate and your egg is released, estrogen levels drop pretty quickly. This is when some people start feeling lower or more emotionally sensitive. Your mood might shift from that pre-ovulation high to feeling a bit more flat or irritable.

Here's the thing, though: this mood shift doesn't just happen randomly. Research shows that mood changes across your cycle are mostly about changes in positive feelings rather than increases in negative ones.³ So you're not necessarily feeling depressed, you're just experiencing less of that energized, happy feeling you had before.

Physical symptoms matter too.

Don't forget that about 40% of people experience ovulation pain (called mittelschmerz). When your body hurts, that naturally affects your mood. Pain can make anyone feel more irritable or emotionally low. Add in potential bloating or other physical symptoms, and it all adds up to feeling more emotional than usual.

How emotion regulation affects your experience

Here's something less talked about: how you handle your emotions actually matters. Research found that women who struggle to accept their emotions during challenging times, like feeling anxious or upset during ovulation, experienced more intense emotional distress.⁴

On the flip side, women who could acknowledge their emotions without judging them ("I'm feeling anxious, and that's okay") tended to manage better. This means your emotional response to your emotions can either amplify or soften how you experience ovulation-related mood changes.

Understanding this brain-based component is key. Samphire takes a brain-first approach to menstrual health, recognizing that supporting your nervous system, not just your hormones, makes a real difference in how you feel throughout your cycle.

How to care for your well-being during ovulation

If you're noticing mood changes around ovulation, there's definitely stuff you can do to feel better. The first step is recognizing what you're experiencing and tracking it over time.

If you're feeling energized

Take advantage of it! Dr. recommends exercise, which is not only safe but can boost your mood even more. "Exercise can increase the release of endorphins, which may result in a more positive mood," she explains. This is a great time to try that workout class you've been thinking about or go for a run.

If you're feeling low

Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to rest and do things that comfort you. That might mean spending time with friends, journaling, taking a warm bath, or honestly just watching your favorite show. There's no "right" way to handle it, just do what feels good for you.

Track your patterns

One of the most powerful things you can do is understand your unique cycle. The Samphire App offers personalized cycle tracking with over 80 guided meditations and breathwork exercises specifically linked to each cycle phase.

By tracking your mood alongside your cycle, you'll start to see patterns and be better prepared for what's coming. The app includes tools to log how you're feeling and spot patterns in your mood, energy, and physical symptoms across your cycle.

For physical discomfort

If you're dealing with ovulation pain, a heating pad or warm bath can really help. If that doesn't work,

Get ahead of it

If you're prone to noticing mood changes, being prepared mentally can make a real difference. Knowing when ovulation is coming lets you plan your schedule around your energy levels, maybe choosing lighter workload days, or scheduling social plans during your high-energy ovulation window.

When to see a doctor

You should definitely reach out to your doctor if:

• Your mood swings are severe or significantly affecting your daily life.
• The changes are interfering with your relationships, work, or ability to function.
• Your mood stays low for weeks rather than just a few days.
• You're experiencing symptoms that sound like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a more serious form of cycle-related mood changes.

Your doctor can help you figure out what's going on and discuss options that might help. If you're exploring non-hormonal approaches, newer brain-based solutions are becoming available.

For UK and EU residents, Nettle™ is a Class IIa medical device clinically proven to support mood and reduce menstrual pain. For those in the US and Canada, Lutea™ is a wellness device designed to support emotional balance and well-being throughout your cycle. Both work by supporting your brain's natural ability to regulate mood and pain processing, a brain-first approach that goes beyond hormonal management alone.

There's no reason to tough it out alone if it's really bothering you.