Menstrual mood swings
The menstrual cycle has an amazing power over women. It is a long lasting force that stays with women for years like a great aunt overextending her welcome. Women are still learning how to cope with the menstrual cycle's affect. Besides cramping and bloating, menstrual moods swings might be the most difficult and annoying side effect. Menstrual mood swings not only disturb the woman, but those around her who take the brunt of her out lashings.
Continue reading below to learn more about menstrual mood swings.
What are mood swings?
 Mood swings are the sudden fluctuation of a person's mood. One minute she can be happy and the next, sad and even crying. Premenstrual or menstrual women can be extremely irritable and intolerant out of nowhere. It seems menstrual mood swings are often out of her control but there are options to decrease their severity.
The real cause for menstrual mood swings
The undeniable cause for menstrual mood swings is hormones. The female body undergoes a hormonal imbalance just before the onset of menstruation. As the normal level of progesterone decreases (just one of the sex hormones affecting mood) a woman may experience menstrual mood swings.
How to manage menstrual mood swings?
It is no secret that many women experience menstrual mood swings. It has been a criticism of women for a long time coming. If she reacts strongly, the expected response may be, "What are you PMS-ing or something?" Such insensitivity does not help the situation. Some women even report that their menstrual mood swings are ruining their relationships.
It is important that her partner be understanding of her situation and that the woman takes an active responsibility to ease their menstrual mood swings. It is unfair for her partner to be insensitive and joke and it is also unfair that he be treated harshly for no reason.
To manage menstrual mood swings a women can start by exercising. Regular aerobic exercise can improve mood, relieve depression, bloating and cramps. Incorporating high-carbohydrate foods into her diet elevates mood by raising serotonin levels. Replacing cookies and candy with more complex carbohydrates and of course eating veggies and whole grains help diminish menstrual mood swings.
 Herbal supplements used to relieve menstrual mood swings include evening primrose, flaxseed or borage oil capsules- all of which help with physical and emotional symptoms. Chamomile and valerian root may ease tension.
Women have found positive results for relieving menstrual mood swings by an intake of calcium, magnesium, St. John's wort, vitamins B6 and E and zinc and Prozac as the most extreme option.
As always it is vital that a woman speaks to her doctor when discussing options to help ease her menstrual mood swings.
Three approaches for treating menstrual mood swings:
Three approaches can be considered for treating menstrual mood swings:
(1) lifestyle changes, (2)alternative approaches and (3)drugs and surgery. The safest way is to start with the least risky approach before advancing to the next level. Click on treatments for menstrual mood swings to learn more. | 
