Mood swings and sex hormones
Mood swings and sex hormones

HOME

Topics About:
mood swings

Definition
Symptoms
Hormonal
Other menopause causes
Psychological
Behavioral
Health related
Bi-polar
Depression
Anxiety

Articles About:
mood swings

General
Mood swings and sex hormones

Mood swings and sex hormones

mood swings angryA number of things can cause mood swings: stress, relationships, work, family, financial situations, diet, menstrual cycles and growth. The list goes on and on but these things are real and they inhibit functions in daily life and can cause problems in school, at work or at home. It is important to identify mood swings in order to overcome them and releasing what you are experiencing is a mood swing and that it will pass.
Mood swings can happen for an assortment of reason. One cause that is overlooked is the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is constantly shifting from one to the next causing your body to change along with it.

Do I have mood swings?

Mood swings are normal and can occur for a variety of reasons. Mood swings could be brought on by too much work, new projects, home life and menstrual cycles. It’s normal to go through upsetting situations but it’s important to identify why.

mood swings sexIf you are experiencing:

• Anxiety,
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Feel like crying

You could have mood swings. While certain circumstantial situations like work, school or relationships can bring on mood swings, there is also a natural biological process that comes along with menstrual cycles that changes hormones.

Read more below on the correlation between mood swings and hormones.

What is the relationship between mood swings and hormones?

Fluctuations in estrogen levels can affect serotonin and endorphin levels often making life more difficult and instigating mood swings. Many women who suffer from mood swings are incorrectly put on anti-depressants.

Before menstruation, the body undergoes changes to prepare itself to release the egg. The estrogen levels are adjusted to allow for the breaking down of the egg inside the uterus. The drop in estrogen can affects the body in physical and physiological ways. The process is different for every woman and every woman is affected differently.

Here is a list of common symptoms from fluctuating estrogen levels:

• Foggy Mind.
• Vaginal Dryness.
• Depression.
• Headaches.
• Irregular Periods.
• Sleep Problems.
• Loss of sexual appetite, libido.
• Breast Tenderness.
• Increased premenstrual symptoms.
• Ovarian Cyst.
• Abdominal weight.
• Anxiety.
• Irritability.
• Water Retention.

All of these are naturally caused from low estrogen levels. It is also important to note that while approaching menopause, levels of estrogen and hormones are decreasing and these symptoms noted above can be experienced for a longer period.

Treatment for Menopause

mood swings hormonesMood swings are a common occurrence in all stages of life. They can appear when you are tired, overworked or in a stressful situation. A series of lifestyle changes can be made to ensure that your mind and body are sound and are able to support your mood swings. Doing exercise, eating properly and taking time for yourself can all ensure you have the proper basis to deal with mood swings.

Also, there are alternative medicines available that can help people in a stressful situation or deal with difficult situations without having to turn to prescription drugs. Many times, as the body is changing, hormones can play a part in mood swings. Alternative drugs are a good safe source free of side effects.

You should consider going to the doctor if:

• Your mood swings are unpredictable or seem disproportionate to the situation.
• You sometimes have periods of intense elation followed by severe depression.
• Your moods feel uncontrollable.

Click here to find out more about natural alternatives for mood swings.

Other Related Articles:
Mood swings, menopause and hysterectomy
Menopausal women and mood swings
Menopausal Mood Swings
Mood Perimenopause Symptoms

Sources:
  • "Adult Mood Swings". The Health Center. www.thehealthcenter.info.
  • Dr. Love, Susan, and Karen Lindsey. Dr. Susan Love’s Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • Amin, Zenab, Turhan Canli, and C. Neill Epperson. "Effects of Estrogen-Serotonin Interactions on Mood and Cognition". Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev 2005; 4; 43.
  • "Estrogen Promotes Gender Difference in Brain’s Response to Stress". Molecular Psychiatry. www.psycheducation.org.