Did you know?
Women who experienced PMS or postpartum depression are more likely to have mood swings during menopause.
Not only can menopause trigger many uncomfortable symptoms, it can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster for many women. During this time of significant hormonal change, over 50% of women find they are more easily irritated, have less patience with family, friends, and coworkers, become sad or stressed by minor events, and feel anxious and worn out. Mood swings are a normal experience for many menopausal women, but there are ways to treat them. Continue reading to better understand what mood swings are and what symptoms they have.
Definition of Mood Swings
Mood swings are defined as extreme or abrupt fluctuations in mood. The term "mood swing" is often used to describe an emotional reaction that is inappropriate or disproportionate to its cause or trigger. During mood swing episodes, people often experience drastic shifts in emotional state.
During menopause, women commonly experience mood swings because their hormone levels fluctuate up and down. While this is a common symptom of menopause, it can negatively affect many aspects of a woman's life. It is often helpful for women going through mood swings to understand the symptoms of this condition. Keep reading to learn more about how mood swings can appear during menopause.
Keep reading to learn more about mood swing symptoms.
Symptoms of Mood Swings
The experience of mood swings will differ from woman to woman, and some may not even have them at all. Among those who do experience mood swings, the most commonly-reported symptoms are:
- Frequent mood changes
- Inexplicable emotions
- Depression
- Sadness
- Lack of motivation
- Extreme moods
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Less patience
- Increased stress
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Melancholy
Did you know?
Up to 50% of women going through menopause suffer from mood swings.
Having an awareness of these potential symptoms can help those who experience them to get a firmer handle on mood swings. Many women wonder what's behind these sudden mood changes that make them feel unlike themselves. Click on the following link to read more about the causes of mood swings.
Sources
- Amin, Z. , Canli, T. & Epperson, C.N. (2005). Effects of Estrogen-Serotonin Interactions on Mood and Cognition. Behavorial and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 4(1), 43-58. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15886402
- Love, S. & Lindsey, K. (2003). Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press.
- Office on Women's Health. (2010). Menopause and mental health. Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-mental-health/