Maybe the hardest part of PMS isn’t always the symptoms. Maybe it’s the way we talk to ourselves while we’re experiencing them.
For many women, the days before their period can bring physical discomfort, emotional changes, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, or feeling more sensitive than usual. And yet, these experiences are often met with frustration or self-criticism:
“I should be able to handle this.”
“Why am I so emotional?”
“I’m being difficult.”
These thoughts can add another layer of distress to an already challenging time.
A recent study published in BMC Women’s Health explored the relationship between self-compassion and premenstrual syndrome symptoms. In a sample of 353 women, researchers found that higher self-compassion was associated with lower levels of PMS symptoms. The study suggests that the way women respond to themselves during difficult moments may be an important factor in how they experience and cope with premenstrual symptoms (Çelik & Tektaş, 2026).
Self-compassion doesn’t mean ignoring symptoms or pretending everything feels fine. It means responding to yourself with the same kindness you might offer someone else who was struggling.
It can look like recognizing that your body is going through changes, allowing yourself to slow down when you need to, and replacing self-judgment with curiosity.
From a therapy perspective, this is a powerful area to explore. Many people have learned to push through discomfort, dismiss their needs, or criticize themselves for having emotions. Therapy can help create space to notice these patterns and build a more supportive relationship with yourself.
Your cycle is not a flaw to overcome, nor are your emotions a weakness to hide. Your body is communicating with you, and learning to listen with compassion can be an important part of wellbeing. Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do during difficult moments is change the way we speak to ourselves.
