Menopause and Mood swings

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Menopause and mood swings is a reality due to shift in hormones like oestrogen and serotonin.

Menopause does not only give rise to uncomfortable physical symptoms but it also affects the emotional aspect of a woman. Almost 50% of women complain of correlation between menopause and mood swings.

1. Mood swings are considered to be one of the most commonly experienced symptoms of menopause.

2. Mood Swings are described as sudden, extreme or rapid fluctuations in mood.

3. During mood swings, women may often react to the smallest things with unexplainable anger or irritability.

4. In mood swings, fluctuations in mood lead to distress and embarrassment causing a sudden outburst of anger, tears, or sadness.

5. These emotional swings suffered by women during menopause often affect those people surrounding them as well.

Risk Factors for Mood Swings

There are some women that are more prone to mood swings during menopause. There are few psychological, behavioural, and health-related factors which may accelerate the chances of establishing mood swings during menopause.

1/3. Psychological factors:

Past mental illness.
Conflicts in relationships.
Stress.
Past trauma.

2/3. Behavioural factors:

Consumption of alcohol & smoking.
Inadequate exercise.
Poor diet.

3/3. Health factors: Certain medical conditions such as…

Diabetes.
Heart disease.
Cancer.
Thyroid disease.

Causes of menopausal mood swings

During menopause, there is a decrease in the production of female hormones estrogen & progesterone. These hormones are also essential in releasing serotonin, a mood-regulating chemical. Hence, with the decline of these hormones; the level of serotonin too, decreases.

Serotonin provides feelings of happiness and well – being. It aids in fighting against anxiety and depression. With the fluctuations in the levels of serotonin, there shall be a corresponding change in mood and emotions.

The mood soars when serotonin levels are high and as the level of serotonin declines so does the mood dip. Changes in serotonin levels can be contributed to the changes in estrogen levels.

Apart from serotonin levels, other symptoms of menopause too, have an effect on mood swings.

Symptoms of Mood Swings

Every woman experiences the symptoms of mood swings differently. Though, few of the common symptoms of mood swings experienced during menopause are as follows:-

Frequent mood shifts.
Depression.
Anxiety.
Aggression.
Irritability.
Nervousness.
Sadness.
Melancholy.
Unexplainable emotions.
Lack of motivation
Impatience
Increased stress.

Management

Mood swings occurring during menopause can be treated with the below-mentioned modes:

1/2. Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT shall replace the hormones that have declined during menopause thus, improving the mood swings linked with menopause.
HRT is the fastest treatment for mood swings but then it is associated with few side effects and it increases the risk of blood clots and stroke.

2/3. Lifestyle Modifications

Simple alterations in lifestyle can offer a significant positive impact on mood swings. Few such lifestyle modifications are as follows:

Performing regular exercises can help boost levels of serotonin.
Yoga or meditation should be done to reduce stress.
Intake of diet rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids should be taken as it helps reduce mood swings.
Consume foods that enhance serotonin levels such as wholemeal bread, peas and beans.
Intake of magnesium supplements; as low levels of magnesium results in low mood.
Menopause and mood swings is a reality. Fortunately there are a few non intrusive natural ways to manage menopause. Read on …