What is the Connection Between Menopause and Mood Swings?

Menopause and mood swings are heavily related because the hormonal changes which occur during menopause and pre-menopause can cause mild to severe mood swings. This is in part because of the steep decline in female sex hormones, and partially because of frustration many women feel about other menopause symptoms. These issues can be alleviated with a combination of healthy diet and sometimes hormonal supplementation.

Menopause is a naturally occurring condition which occurs when the ovaries stop producing female sex hormones, primarily estrogen. This leads to several symptoms, which can include night sweats, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and brittle bones. To alleviate symptoms related to menopause and mood swings, patients may be given hormonal replacements and put on a specialized diet to help regulate the body’s hormonal balance.

There are both medicinal and natural treatments available for menopause and mood swings. One of the most important and most beneficial is to eat a healthy diet and maintain a proper weight. Exercising can help to alleviate stress by releasing endorphins and other “feel good” chemicals in the body, and it helps to keep weight at a healthy level. Eating healthy foods has also been shown to help with menopausal symptoms, especially fruits and vegetables.

Using natural hormone replacement for menopause and mood swings, such as black or blue cohosh, has shown to be beneficial for some women. Others may choose to use synthetic estrogen injections or pills to supplement their own hormones. This has been shown to increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as ovarian and breast cancer. Sometimes naturally occurring phyto-estrogens, found in plants, are used because they are typically gentler on the body.

Women who are experiencing menopause and mood swings should consult a doctor. There are various health issues which are more likely to occur in menopausal and post menopausal women, so it is a good idea to ensure that one’s physician knows what it going on. Tests can be performed to ensure that symptoms are being caused by menopause, since other issues can cause similar side effects. These can include certain health conditions and pregnancy.

Menopausal symptoms may continue or worsen for some women if treatment is not started and continued. Others may experience a gradual decrease in problems as menopause progresses. Each patient will have to find an individualized combination of therapies that works for her to get the best results.