Hormones or Just a Bad Week? Bloating, mood swings, breakouts - normal PMS or something bigger?

Hormones or Just a Bad Week? How to Tell the Difference

Bloating, mood swings, breakouts—normal PMS or something bigger? Let’s decode the chaos.

Date: 9 October 2025

By: The formie team

 

We’ve all been there: one week you’re crying over a toothpaste commercial, stress-eating chocolate, and wondering if your jeans shrunk in the wash. The next, you feel like a supermodel. The question is - are your hormones actually running the show, or are you just having a rough week?

Understanding the difference matters. While fluctuations are part of being human, consistent or extreme patterns could be a sign your hormones are waving a bigger red flag.

Let’s break it down.

 

PMS vs. “Just Life” Stress

According to Family Planning NSW, about 40% of Australian women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms - things like bloating, mood changes, and breast tenderness - during the luteal phase.

But here’s the twist: stress can mimic many of the same symptoms. Cortisol (your stress hormone) impacts digestion, sleep, skin, and even mood regulation. So if your bloating or breakouts show up during your busiest week at work, stress - not PMS - may be the culprit.

When Hormones Are the Likely Suspect

If you notice a consistent, predictable pattern tied to your menstrual cycle, hormones are probably involved. Common hormone-related signs in Australian women include:

  • bloating and water retention right before your period

  • mood swings or irritability during the luteal phase

  • breakouts that flare mid-cycle (often when oestrogen dips)

  • fatigue around menstruation, sometimes due to changing iron levels

According to The Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne), it is common for women to experience both physical symptoms (like bloating and tender breasts) and mood changes (such as irritability or anxiety) in the week before their period begins.


When It Might Be Something Bigger

Sometimes, symptoms that seem like PMS actually point to other conditions:

  • PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder): A more severe form of PMS, affecting 3–8% of women. It includes extreme mood swings, anxiety, and depression in the luteal phase (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021).

  • Hormonal imbalances: Thyroid disorders, perimenopause, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can all cause ongoing symptoms outside the “usual” pre-period window.

  • Chronic stress: Elevated cortisol can dysregulate cycles entirely, leading to irregular periods or worsened PMS symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

If your symptoms are interfering with work, relationships, or daily functioning, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider.

 

Tools to Decode the Chaos

  • Track your cycle: Apps like Clue or Flo can help you spot patterns (and confirm if symptoms are cyclical or random).

  • Lifestyle check-in: Poor sleep, caffeine overload, or stress might be amplifying what’s otherwise mild PMS.

  • Supportive habits: According to research in the Journal of Women’s Health (2019), exercise, balanced nutrition, and magnesium may help ease PMS-related mood and physical symptoms.

  • Professional guidance: A women’s health doctor or hormone specialist can run tests if you suspect something more than PMS.

The Bottom Line

Not every bad week is hormones, and not every hormone shift has to derail your life. By tracking your cycle and paying attention to when symptoms show up, you can better tell if it’s PMS, stress, or something that deserves a deeper look.

Your body is constantly communicating with you. The trick is learning to listen—and knowing when to call in backup.


Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the lived experiences and research shared by the Formie team. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare guidance. Everyone’s body is different, and symptoms can have many causes. If you are experiencing persistent, severe, or disruptive symptoms, please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

 

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