The rise and fall of certain essential hormones in women brings about several unpleasant symptoms characteristic of what we call PMS but does the same have the capability to change how women dream?
To find the truth, the team of ThePleasantDream unearthed a study that highlights interesting findings surrounding the menstrual cycle and dreams.
The study sheds light on how dream content differs during ovulation when estrogen levels peak. Again, it also shows an opposite scenario during menstruation when the progesterone level is highest.
To gain more clarity on the subject, the team asked psychologists, psychiatrists, and sleep experts, and this is what they had to say on the impact of the menstrual cycle on dreams:
Why do women have weird dreams before their period?
Michael Dadashi, Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Dreams are thought to be a way for our brains to process and make sense of all the information we experience during our waking hours.
During the days leading up to your period, you may have more intense emotions or feel a little out of sorts. Women often report vivid dreams prior to their periods due to this heightened emotional state.
Dreams also serve as a way for us to process any unresolved emotions we may be feeling, so this could also be why some women experience more intense dreams during this time.
It is possible that the hormones released right before a period also play a role in how we dream.
Dr. Alyssa Roberts, Clinical Psychologist at Practicalpie
According to research, a woman’s dreams may be impacted by the hormonal changes that take place during her menstrual cycle.
Estrogen and progesterone levels fall in the days before menstruation, which can affect mood, sleep patterns, and other body functions.
These modifications may also have an impact on the substance and vividness of dreams, producing more intense, intensely emotional, and unusual dreams.
Marta De la Cruz, A Clinical Psychologist at Balance Luxury Rehab
Weird dreams during periods are a result of the estrogen hormone causing difficulty. Such hormonal imbalances lead to feeling drained, which can affect sleep quality.
During their periods, women get hot flushes and are tired, which prevents them from sleeping peacefully. This feeling builds more room for having bad or vivid dreams.
Jason Shiers, Certified Psychotherapist & Addiction Trauma ED Specialist at United Recovery California
Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood and behavior, and this can include changes in dream content and recall.
Research suggests that hormonal changes across a woman’s monthly cycle can impact the frequency and intensity of dreams, with many women reporting more vivid and emotional dreams in the days before their period.
This may be due to changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can affect neurotransmitters and brain activity.
How do dreams change across women’s monthly cycle?
Michael Dadashi Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Dreams can vary significantly across a woman’s monthly cycle. During the preovulatory phase (days 1-14 of your cycle), dreams tend to be more emotionally charged, often reflecting on unresolved issues in daily life.
In the postovulatory phase (days 15-28), women typically report having fewer emotionally intense dreams, and instead, their dream content is usually focused on physical activities, such as running or jumping.
As you get closer to your period, dreams may become more surreal in nature and can often reflect deep-seated fears and anxieties. This is thought to be due to the fluctuations in hormones that occur at this time.
Dr. Alyssa Roberts, Clinical Psychologist at Practicalpie
According to research, a woman’s monthly cycle can have an impact on her dream content. Dreams may intensify in the premenstrual stage and turn more depressing, emotional, and vivid.
Dreams may become less intense during the menstrual phase, with fewer emotions and a greater emphasis on physical feelings.
Dreams may become more upbeat and more concerned with relationships and social interactions during the post-menstrual phase.
Marta De la Cruz, A Clinical Psychologist at Balance Luxury Rehab
The menstrual cycle can negatively affect a woman’s mood. Sleeping under stress can lead to bad dreams.
But once the cycle is over, there is a bigger chance of sleep patterns settling down and having no bad dreams.
How can women deal with hormonal dreams?
Michael Dadashi Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
The most important thing to remember is that dreams are a normal part of our lives and can be helpful in understanding our emotions.
If you find yourself having intense, hormonal dreams, it may be beneficial to take some time to reflect on what they may mean.
Keeping a dream journal can help you understand the patterns of your dreaming better, as well as how it may be connected to your emotions and physical well-being.
Meditation or relaxation techniques can also help you to manage any anxiety or stress that might be contributing to your dreams.
Talking to a therapist or counselor can also provide support in understanding the meaning of your dreams and finding ways to cope with them.
Marta De la Cruz, A Clinical Psychologist at Balance Luxury Rehab
The menstrual cycle brings a flux of emotions. Hormonal dreams are also a result of feeling a gazillion emotions at once. It’s best not to dwell on those dreams and take a breather if they’re affecting you.
Not all dreams symbolize a certain aspect of life. Some bad dreams are a result of women feeling tired because of their period pain.
Jason Shiers, Certified Psychotherapist & Addiction Trauma ED Specialist at United Recovery California
While hormonal dreams can be upsetting or even distressing for some women, there are strategies that can help to manage their impact.
These might include engaging in relaxation techniques before bed, such as deep breathing or meditation, or engaging in calming activities during the day to reduce stress levels.
Do hormonal fluctuations alter dream content and recall in women?
Michael Dadashi Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Yes, hormonal fluctuations can alter dream content and recall in women.
Studies have shown that premenstrual dreaming is more emotionally intense than during other phases of the menstrual cycle, with dreams being focused on unresolved issues and deep-seated fears or anxieties.
There is also evidence to suggest that estrogen levels influence dream recall.
Dr. Alyssa Roberts, Clinical Psychologist at Practicalpie
According to research, hormonal changes might affect a woman’s dream memory and substance. Women may recall their dreams more vividly and emotionally during the premenstrual phase.
Further, women may experience less intense dreams and have less difficulty recalling their dreams during the menstrual phase.
The types of dreams that women have may also be influenced by hormonal changes, with a greater emphasis on interpersonal relationships and social interactions during the post-menstrual phase.
Marta De la Cruz, A Clinical Psychologist at Balance Luxury Rehab
Hormonal fluctuations are at their peak during the menstrual cycle. That is why women might dream about things that give them nightmares.
The dreams could be recurring too. But that is because certain hormones impact women psychologically and heighten all sorts of emotions.
The recall might not be evident because it might only be restricted to the menstrual cycle. But bad dreams are a part of the process because of being stressed, in pain, and tired.
Jason Shiers, Certified Psychotherapist & Addiction Trauma ED Specialist at United Recovery California
It is also worth noting that dream content can be influenced by a range of factors beyond hormones, including personal experiences, cultural influences, and psychological processes such as memory consolidation and emotional processing.
By exploring the complexity of dream content and recall, we can gain a deeper understanding of the rich inner lives of women and the various factors that shape their experiences.
Closing Thoughts
All of the experts agreed on the fact that the monthly cycle in women does play a role in how and what women dream.
Most of them have also highlighted how fluctuations in the delicate balance of hormones in women can have a significant effect on the length of the REM phase and the negative dream themes it can bring about.
