Understanding the Difference between Menopausal Mood Swings and PMS

By Hannah R. | Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Ladies
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Estrogen is a hormone that is particularly affected during menopause and its decrease can result in many menopausal symptoms. Some common symptoms include hot flashes, headaches, and mood swings. They can affect many women in their day to day lives. Although the experience might be unsettling and frustrating, it is actually one of the most common symptoms of menopause. However, mood swings are also associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. Read on to learn more about the difference between mood swings associated with PMS.

Knowing the Difference

Mood swings can happen at any time, but during menopause their regularity and frequency can dramatically increase. This can also happen at the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle. There is no great difference in the science behind them - both are caused by hormonal imbalances in the body. However, mood swings during menopause can last longer and be experienced more frequently. During menopause, there many hormonal changes that can influence your mood swings.

How to Control Your Mood Swings

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Menopausal mood swings can be particularly hard to deal with because the hormone imbalances that trigger them can also instigate other problems. To help manage your mood swings and their impacts try communicate your experiences with those around you. Let them know how you're feeling and how they can help. Knowing that they understand what you are experiencing may make you feel more comfortable and at ease with your experiences.When you feel a mood swing coming, remind yourself it is natural and not your fault. Practice deep breathing exercises or gently squeeze a stress relieving ball. This should help you maintain a balanced mood and combat your mood swings.

Eating the right foods at the right time is also important. Studies of different populations show that increasing fruit and vegetable intake, particularly of soy based products, will have a beneficial effect on your mood swings. Try to also reduce your meat consumption when trying to manage mood swings.

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