About Menopause Mood Swings

Most people have experienced certain kinds and levels of mood swings during their lifetimes. Most attribute these temperamental occurrences to situational events such as relationship issues, problems on the job or other stressful events. What most people aren’t aware of is that mood swings can also arise from organic origins within our bodies.

Mood Swings Definition

In a nutshell mood swings are defined as any kind of ppalpable shift in your overall mood. Outside and internal influences can trigger different mood responses. In the case of perimenopausal women, the malefactor is hormonal imbalance.

Women of a certain age are confronted with “a change of life” stage where sex hormones begin to fluctuate and a physical and emotional rodeo of symptoms begin. As the hormones estrogen, progesterone and androgens begin to flag, perceptible signs and symptoms start to emerge. Among the most unpleasant are hot flashes, night sweats, a slackening libido, headaches, insomnia, memory lapses and severe mood swings.

Signs and Symptoms of Menopausal Mood Swings

Mood swings can consist of numerous symptoms which are important to be aware of:

Irritability - feeling touchy and cranky at things that never bothered you before

Sudden mood changes - switching from one mood to the next for no apparent reason. For example, feeling extremely irritable then suddenly breaking down into tears

Aggressiveness - unwarranted angry outbursts and unprovoked snarky comments

Fatigue - menopausal mood swings can result from other symptoms related to menopause

Chronic fatigue can be the direct result of insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats

Tension - inability to sufficiently manage daily stress in life can result in body tension

Feeling sad - sadness is a common symptom of menopausal mood swings and must be carefully monitored as not to transform into complete depression

Inability to concentrate - new strange feelings and uninvited emotions can be incredibly distracting with women experiencing menopause

Lack of motivation - fatigue and sadness can play a role in the absence of motivation and can interfere in the participation of once joyful pursuits

Anxiety - entering the journey to menopause is facing strange and unfamiliar feelings and sensations. Fear of the unknown has always been a key factor in heightened levels of anxiety

Tips to Assuage Menopausal Mood Swings

Exercise

It doesn’t have to be strenuous or stressful, but planning and sticking to a daily exercise plan can help you get stimulated out of those darker moods. Daily exercise can actually physiologically help the body through periods of extreme mood swings. Exercise naturally raises the “feel good” endorphins that serve as neurotransmitters in the brain that create feelings of well-being.

Aerobic exercises such as cycling, swimming or something, as simple as a daily walk, can all serve to lift the spirits and improve mood swings. Isometric and inner strength building exercises such as yoga and tai chi have tremendous positive effects on the mind, spirit and body.

Diet

Take a good look as to what you are putting into your body. Types of food that we eat have a direct affect as to the severity of menopausal mood swings. Processed foods and sugars, saturated fats and large amounts of animal protein will not bode well for mood swings. Alcohol is a natural depressant and will only exacerbate the gravity of certain mood swings.

Substitute positive power mood foods in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Alternative Comforts

Body massage addresses moods of tension and reduces anxiety through the soothing ministrations of hands-on body rubs. Acupuncture is very effective in opening up energetic pathways that allow positive changes in mood. Aromatherapy combines specific essential oils that are inhaled or rubbed on the skin to promote mood enhancement.