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Menopause and Mood Swings
Cathy Taylor
Menopause can bring on mood swings that make you not recognize
yourself. You know, where the slightest request from your husband
can cause you to go off. Or perhaps the cries of your child for a
new Playstation game makes you lose it. For me, I would be
standing in a grocery story line and see a small child and begin
to weep uncontrollably. Typically mood swings can’t be explained
rationally.
These kinds of lightning fast changes in how you feel play a
significant role in the menopause game and are often one of the
first things women notice that causes her to suspect something is
not right! Sometimes it is a very circuitous route to discovering
that you are in perimenopause. Characteristics of menopausal mood
changes can include extreme irritability, blatant rage,
concentrated anxiety, depression, indifference as well as
nervousness.
Menopause and mood swings work together because changes in
hormonal levels (most notably, dropping progesterone and estrogen
levels) are beginning to take shape inside a woman’s body.
Hormone levels affect the level of serotonin in the brain which
can cause depressive symptoms. These changes may make women feel
unreasonably insecure about themselves and their current role in
life, which contributes to more feelings of worthlessness.
Other factors that trigger mood swings in menopause sufferers are
the symptoms they face. Tinnitus (whooshing and ringing
sensations in the ear due to nerve damage as a result of aging &
hearing loss), incontinence (or other abnormal bladder behavior),
and hot flashes also add to the overall crankiness a menopausal
woman faces.
Mood swings can be significantly reduced by following a course of
action such as a weekly exercise regimen. Exercise, specifically
meditation, deep breathing and yoga, have been proven to relieve
mood swings. Besides, exercise is the ultimate anti-aging
activity – women who move their bodies consistently report
looking and feeling younger. And, many women have reported the
benefits of soy products as well as a natural progesterone cream
to relieve symptoms.
Another healthy objective is to have a steady social support
group to turn to. Menopause sufferers find that soothing words
from their family and friends, some confirmation that the sky
isn’t falling down and that she is certainly not alone, is a
tremendous help to their overall well-being.
The third course of action is to follow the right diet. Caffeine
loaded drinks like coffee and soda can lead to symptoms you want
to avoid such as breast tenderness. They will only excite your
body’s nervous system leading to restless sleep that can make you
cranky throughout the day. Drink certain decaffeinated teas that
increase serotonin levels in the brain, like passionflower and
chamomile, which will also relax and help provide blissful sleep.
Here’s a tip for some that don’t have a lactose issue - grab the
milk bottle in the refrigerator and warm it up. Tryptophan, a
component found in warm milk, is known to increase serotonin in
the brain and can help you rest better. A multivitamin and
mineral supplement may also help load your body with the right
nutrients, balancing things out. Be sure to check with your
doctor about what types and amounts are appropriate for your
body.
You can avoid menopause mayhem and eliminate mood swings and the
sudden onset of crying by following the above advice – feel
refreshed mentally and emotionally for a better day.
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years
experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and
plan development, as well as management of communications and
public relations programs for small business sectors.
She can be reached at Creative Communications:
creative-com@cox.net or by visiting
http://www.menopauseinfo.org
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