Coping With Your Menopausal Emotions

No one is sure what causes menopausal mood swings (often jokingly referred to as '˜a form of never-ending PMS'˜), but the general consensus is that they are caused by hormonal imbalances. Menopause is when the body no longer produces eggs for fertilization, and this creates severe fluctuations in the levels of hormones within the body; progesterone, estrogen and androgens, all of these hormones help to control the levels of serotonin that is in the brain. Serotonin, in turn, regulates the various moods that we feel; when the levels of this chemical are low, a person's mood will be equally low or melancholic. Meanwhile, a high level of serotonin will promote a very high and upbeat mood.

Women who suffer mood swings run the gauntlet of emotions; melancholia, fatigue, irritability, nervousness, aggressiveness, tension, or anxieties. One important thing to remember, however, is that clinical depression is NOT a symptom of menopause. While it's not uncommon for a woman who is going through menopause to feel sadness or to cry, clinical depression can be very serious and professional help should be sought out, if you even suspect this. While people suffering menopause may often experience a case of the doldrums or appear melancholic, it is a far cry from those who are clinically depressed and have thoughts of hurting themselves or others.

There are a wide variety of suggestions, as to how to lessen the risk of mood swings and to make them more bearable. Most important is to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle; not only will exercise help to lessen the strain of menopausal emotions, but will also make you feel better as a whole. Exercise is an excellent way of working through mood swings; having a workout 3 times a week, for 20 minutes a day, will not only help you stay fit, but it also gives you something to focus on. There's nothing better for releasing tension and anger than a good, vigorous workout session. Additionally, women who are going through menopause will often experience trouble sleeping; a good workout will help you relax and sleep better at night.

Alternative therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture and meditation may also prove helpful. Yoga, for instance, helps you to keep the body fit while it promotes relaxation and a redirection of frustrations into positive energy. Also be sure to get out into the sunlight and enjoy life - a half an hour in the sunshine will help recharge your natural lithium batteries and improve your mood! Another popular suggestion is to create a retreat; a special place where you can go when you're feeling stressed out. Here, you can escape responsibility for a time and relax'¦ Just ensure the family knows that is your '˜alone time space,' and not to bother you.

Diet is equally important to a woman who is experiencing menopause. Calcium is essential, but eating healthy can also help to raise the levels of serotonin in the brain, making you feel more energized and alert. Complex carbohydrates, such as beans and peas, are very good for this reason and will help you to combat mood swings. Many will also agree that it helps to eat smaller meals and healthy snacks, but to eat more frequently. This offers a little extra energy boost throughout the day, yet avoids that weighted down or bloated feeling that you may experience after a large meal.

Herbal remedies, like hops, kava kava, motherwort and valerian root may all be helpful with mood swings, but always be sure to check with your doctor, prior to taking any of them. If stress becomes too much, you may wish to speak with your physician about anti-depressants, though be wary of hormonal replacement therapy; recent studies say that it may be linked to some forms of cancer.

The best way to treat menopausal mood swings is naturally, through exercise and diet. This is a wonderful new time of change and you should embrace it! Menopause is not a disease, but a new period in your life; it cannot be stopped and every woman experiences it, but it doesn't have to be a frustration. You can take the steps to turn this into a journey of discovery and opportunity.