Mood Swings in Women

Mood swings are one of the many symptoms of menopause. They can be difficult to cope with and can severely impact daily life. The good news is that mood swings can be managed.

What Are Mood Swings?

Mood swings are sudden changes in emotions, mood, and temperament. One minute you may feel happy and the next, you may be sad or upset. Such changes can be very frustrating because they are often inexplicable and unpredictable.

What Causes Mood Swings?

Mood swing triggers remain something of a mystery, but it is commonly believed that a hormonal imbalance is the primary cause. Often, mood swings are experienced during puberty, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pregnancy, and menopause. During menopause, for example, the body decreases its production of the sex hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation. As the levels of hormones fluctuate, so do the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Stress, over-exertion, and fatigue can also result in mood swings.

How to Control Mood Swings

There are various ways of managing mood swings. It can be beneficial to first determine whether or not your mood swings are caused by stress and other emotional triggers or by a hormonal imbalance.

Tips for dealing with mood swings

• Exercise. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine will help to sleep better. Exercising also produces mood enhancing chemicals like serotonin and endorphins.

• Eating a balanced diet. Ensuring that your body receives proper nutrition will also help regulate serotonin levels in the brain and prevent mood swings

• Practicing relaxation techniques. Exercises like yoga and meditation can fight fatigue, stress, and emotional instability in women.

The best way to treat mood swings is by combining lifestyle changes with alternative medicines like herbal supplements. As mood swings are usually caused by low hormonal levels, a hormonal balancing program is also recommended.

Click on one of the link to learn more about the treatments for mood swings that is most appropriate for you.