Is Letrosol Making You Weepy?
If you’re here, you might be squinting at your reflection in the bathroom mirror, mascara smudged, wondering:
“Is it just me… or is this tiny pill turning me into a puddle?”
Let’s talk about Letrozole. Why you might be taking it. What it’s doing inside your body. And yes—whether it could be the reason you're crying during cat food commercials and losing it over a missing sock.
Why Am I Taking Letrozole, Anyway?
Letrozole (brand name Femara) was originally designed as a medication to treat hormone-positive breast cancer. But now it’s also commonly used off-label to help people ovulate, especially in the context of PCOS, unexplained infertility, or egg retrieval for IVF.
Letrozole works by lowering estrogen levels in your body for a short window of time. That drop tricks your brain into producing more FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)—which encourages your ovaries to mature and release an egg.
Voilà! Ovulation.
So even though Letrozole isn’t technically a “fertility drug,” it’s often one of the first things on the table when ovulation needs a little nudge.
What Happens When You Drop Estrogen Like That?
Estrogen is a bossy little hormone—but in the best way. It keeps things running smoothly: your mood, your sleep, your vaginal tissue, your energy, your ability to feel like your actual self.
So when you suddenly lower estrogen, even for a few days, your body might freak out a bit. Common side effects of Letrozole include:
Hot flashes
Fatigue
Headaches
Dizziness
Irritability
Crankiness
Depression
Malaise
And yes... crying for no reason at all
This is especially true if your system is sensitive to hormonal shifts (hellooo, if PMS wrecks you every month, Letrozole might feel like PMS cranked to 11—but for science).
Wait, Am I Losing It?
Nope. You’re not broken. You’re just chemically encouraged to ovulate, and your emotions may be along for the ride.
If Letrozole is making you feel like a weepy, emotional version of yourself—it's legit. That drop in estrogen can impact your serotonin, your energy, and your ability to regulate emotions.
Some people take Letrozole and feel totally fine. Others feel like they’ve been emotionally chloroformed for five days. Either way, it’s temporary. And you’re not alone.
What Can Help?
If you’re riding the Letrozole roller coaster, a few things might support your mind and body:
Sleep. Like, prioritize it like your life depends on it.
Protein + fat at meals to stabilize blood sugar and mood swings.
Gentle movement (yoga, walking, stretching) to help metabolize stress.
Support from someone who gets it—a friend, a therapist, a provider who sees the full picture.
And sometimes? A good, ugly cry. Let it out. No judgment.
You're Doing a Brave Thing
Letrozole is one of those meds that looks like no big deal on the outside—just a tiny pill—but inside, it’s stirring up some powerful shifts. If you're taking it, you're probably in the middle of a big decision, a big process, or a big hope.
Whether you’re prepping for an IUI, trying after loss, navigating IVF, or just seeing what your body can do—I see you. And if you’re feeling cracked wide open right now? That’s not weakness. That’s courage.
So if you’ve been asking, “Is Letrozole making me weepy?”
The answer might be yes.
And also: you are allowed to feel what you feel.
You’re still doing it. Still showing up.
Still so incredibly strong—even if you’re doing it with puffy eyes and a heating pad.
Love,
Emily
References
Rocha-Cadman X, Massie MJ, Du Hamel K. Aromatase inhibitors and mood disturbances. Palliat Support Care. 2012 Sep;10(3):225-7. doi: 10.1017/S1478951512000636. Epub 2012 Jun 8. PMID: 22677000; PMCID: PMC6048955.Letrosol package insert has soooo many adverse side effects... they generally don't affect everyone but just knowing that "depression" is on there could be reassuring as a reminder that this isn't your new normal... you're just doing a hard thing right now. 