Why do I feel like I have PMS at Ovulation?

Ovulation is often described as the best bit of the menstrual cycle. It’s the time when energy peaks, hormones are buzzing, and we’re supposedly at our most magnetic, sociable, sexy, and unstoppable. But for many of us, that’s not the reality. Instead of feeling confident and powerful, ovulation can feel like everything is just too much. There’s too much noise, too much pressure, too much energy coursing through the body with nowhere to put it. For some, it feels like overstimulation, irritability, exhaustion, and emotional intensity all rolled into one – and often, that emotion comes out as pure, fiery rage.

This is something I see often in my clients, and I’ve experienced it myself. There’s this expectation that ovulation will feel incredible, and when it doesn’t, it can feel confusing, frustrating, or even like something is wrong. Ovulation can mimic PMS symptoms – cramps, bloating, headaches, mood swings – but it also comes with this intense rush of energy that, when unmanaged, can turn into overwhelm. This is particularly common for people with ADHD, PMDD, or a more sensitive nervous system. The pressure to “perform” or “be on” during ovulation can backfire, especially if rest and support have been missing in the earlier parts of the cycle.

Energetically, ovulation is connected to the fire element. Fire can be beautiful – it’s energising, passionate, bold, and bright. It’s a source of life and creativity. But fire is also unpredictable. It can be chaotic, consuming, and destructive if it’s not tended to. This is exactly how ovulation can feel for those of us who are sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. That internal fire can fuel motivation and courage, or it can spiral into emotional meltdowns, conflict, burnout, and anxiety. The key is learning how to work with this energy, rather than resisting it or trying to force it into a box.

There are practical, gentle ways to support yourself during ovulation when things feel intense. The first is planning ahead. Knowing when ovulation is likely to hit gives you the chance to build space into your schedule and reduce external pressure. You can avoid booking high-stress meetings, making big decisions, or packing your week too tightly. Give yourself room to breathe. It’s also important to lower expectations around productivity or creativity. You might usually thrive during ovulation, but that doesn’t mean you have to show up the same way every month. Let go of the pressure to be consistently “on.” The energy is there, but it doesn’t always want to be channelled into work or output.

Physical movement is one of the best ways to move ovulatory fire through the body. Dance, run, shake, scream, swim, have sex. Do something that gets you back into your body, helps you release excess tension, and allows the energy to shift rather than get stuck. This phase can also be a powerful time to take bold action. Fire energy brings courage. It’s a good window for trying something new, expressing yourself, setting boundaries, or doing something you’ve been scared to do. And sometimes, it’s about giving yourself full permission to do nothing. If it feels like a day you need to cancel plans, eat toast for dinner, and lie under a blanket, that’s completely valid too.

How ovulation feels is often a reflection of how you’ve supported yourself throughout your whole cycle. If you’ve pushed too hard in the luteal phase, skipped rest during your period, or ignored your body’s need for recovery, ovulation can come in like a tidal wave. That’s why cycle awareness is so powerful. It gives you the tools to understand the full picture and approach your cycle with more compassion and clarity, rather than frustration or confusion.

If this resonates with you, I created my Love Your Luteal masterclass to help you understand your cycle on a deeper level. It’s an instant-access workshop that walks you through each phase of the cycle with practical, non-fluffy tools you can actually use. There’s guidance for managing PMS, supporting your energy, building a personalised rhythm, and making peace with the tougher phases – including ovulation. You can download it right now here.

Ovulation doesn’t have to feel like chaos. With the right support, it can become one of the most powerful, aligned phases of your cycle. You’re not broken. You’re just burning a bit hot. And that fire can be your strength.