mood changes

Swinging hormones throws you into your second puberty – think PMS on steroids! All sorts of mood changes can start during perimenopause and, thankfully, settle after menopause. Mood changes are one of the first signs of perimenopause and are in the top 3 worst symptoms.

Swinging hormones throws you into your second puberty – think PMS on steroids! All sorts of mood changes can start during perimenopause and, thankfully, settle after menopause. Mood changes are one of the first signs of perimenopause and are in the top 3 worst symptoms.

Shifting hormones

Shifting hormones initially impact our mood through puberty, before our monthly period, have another go through pregnancy and finally during menopause. Wonderful. During this turbulent time, many females experience anxiety and depression for the first time, while others may have an aggravation of previous mental health problems.

Mood changes are thought to be caused by the combination of fluctuating oestrogen levels coupled with unbalanced progesterone levels. Of course, our mood will be impacted by any previous mental health problems we suffered, lack of sleep, as well as our work and social environments. At this time in our life – family, mid-life social challenges – and we often forget to take time to refill our own love tank. It is too easy to blame these symptoms on our external circumstances and too often we will be treated with medication (or worse, simply being dismissed) without understanding that hormones may be triggering these symptomss. We might also have to deal with the impact of reduced libido and a dry vagina on our intimate relationships which can add tension and have a further effect on our emotional wellness.

Your mood may start to change in early perimenopause – even before you have noticed any other symptom of hormonal change. Females and their doctors rarely recognise this a symptom of menopause and often resort to antidepressant medication. Mental health will start to stabilise in the post menopausal stage when your hormones balance out again. 

Mood changes are thought to be caused by the combination of fluctuating oestrogen levels coupled with unbalanced progesterone levels. Of course, our mood will be impacted by any previous mental health problems we suffered, lack of sleep, as well as our work and social environments. At this time in our life, we are juggling so many things – work, health, he impact of mood problems by being patient and compassionate with ourselves. Understanding the impact of these hormone imbalances goes a long way to self-acceptance during this time.

Physical activity

• especially outdoors and in nature, this is proven to be a great mood enhancer
• meditative practice including yoga to help calm anxious moods.

Breathing

• a keystone habit – slow abdominal or diaphragmatic breaths help calm the nervous system and can act as a rapid reset, wherever you are.

Diet

• reducing sugar, alcohol and caffeine can help reduce anxious feelings
• magnesium, taurine, zinc and vitamin B6 can help disordered mood
• vitamin B12 can help with menopausal depression as can St John’s Wort.

Psychological treatment

• cognitive behavioural therapy (and others) especially if you have a history of depression or anxiety.

Oestrogen and progesterone

• oestrogen can be very helpful for depression and insomnia during later menopausal stages, but is less likely to be helpful during perimenopause, which is characterised by low progesterone levels and unchecked erratic oestrogen

Progesterone alone

• can be helpful for irritability, rage and anxiety particularly through perimenopause, and can help your sleep if taken at bedtime (micronised progesterone only). Before trying this avenue, be sure to consult with us to discuss side effects and determine your body’s sensitivity to progesterone – an uncommon condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) may mean you are very sensitive to progesterone and instead of calming you, it may trigger depression. 

Low dose contraceptive pill

• will control the hormonal swings by inver-ridding the menstrual cycle
• try this solution if you also need contraception

Other medication

• if your symptoms are severe and not responding to simpler measures
• your doctor may prescribe medication such as antidepressants.