84 Burnett St Bundaberg
Have you found your moods swinging wildly during perimenopause? Wondering why your temper control is non-existent or why you’re so anxious all the time? Let's look at why your moods fluctuate during menopause.
Mood swings are a known symptom during menopause. By understanding how your hormones affect your moods, you can take steps to balance your mood out.
During your transition into menopause, there are several key hormone changes that occur. The body slowly shuts down the functions that facilitate fertility and pregnancy. Unfortunately, the hormonal shifts that occur can trigger moodiness.
During perimenopause, oestrogen levels can fluctuate widely. When it spikes, it can lead to anxiety, irritability, and anger. When it drops, it can lead to depression.
Low progesterone is a common issue that women experience during perimenopause. Progesterone counters many of the effects of high oestrogen levels, so low levels mean the body is less protected.
If that wasn’t enough, your body also switches the form of oestrogen it produces from oestradiol to oestrone.
Unlike oestradiol, oestrone is produced by your adrenal glands. So now your adrenals must produce sex hormones as well as stress hormones. Therefore, stress can play a big role in mood during menopause.
Another consideration with stress is sleep. Poor sleep and insomnia are common during menopause, which can leave you vulnerable to mood swings. Once you add on everyday stresses, sleep can become almost impossible for many women.
The best way to manage your mood swings during perimenopause depends on the cause. But there are a few simple ways to manage your mood and feel more balanced.
Eat plenty of wholefoods!
You might want to reach for the quick, convenient foods. But these can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate and exacerbate your mood swings.
Instead, opt for a wholefood-rich diet that is high in protein, fibre, and good fats. If you have sweet cravings, reach for some fresh fruit. If you’re craving carbs, choose wholegrains such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa.
Manage your stress effectively
Your adrenals are working overtime as they take over the production of oestrone. So, the last thing we want to do is add to their load! That is why stress management is critical for your hormones, your energy levels and your sleep quality.
Include something each day that makes you feel calm and relaxed. It might be a hot bath at the end of the day, meditation, spending time with friends or sitting and sipping your coffee slowly first thing in the morning.
Remember that your liver is already busy balancing out your hormones – a glass of wine every night might feel relaxing, but it adds to the problem!
Seek support
Having someone to listen to you is critical for your mood, mental health, and stress levels! So, if you feel like you’re going crazy, it’s time to seek some support. It might be a friend, a family member or a colleague.
If you feel like you don’t have anyone who makes you feel heard, seeking support from a practitioner is a good option.
At Burnett House, we take an integrative approach to treating and managing your moods during menopause. Jamie offers acupuncture to help with contributing factors such as pain, fatigue, and stress, while Trish can offer herbs, supplements, diet, and lifestyle advice to minimise symptoms.
If you’re suffering from menopausal symptoms, we’re here to help. To book an appointment with Jamie or Trish at our Bundaberg clinic, call us on (07) 41522372 or you can book online here.
We hope this information has helped you understand more about why your moods fluctuate during menopause.
Make sure you check out our other blogs about menopause:
