Mood swings during pregnancy
Mood swings during pregnancy

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 during pregnancy

Mood swings during pregnancy

uncontrollable mood swingsUnfortunately, almost all women will experience mood swings during pregnancy. The intensity and frequency of mood swings during pregnancy can become problematic and mean that mood swings during pregnancy are uncontrollable. Changes in a woman’s temper can be unpredictable and this can frustrate not only the woman herself but her family and friends too. In order to deal with mood swings during pregnancy effectively, it is important to understand their causes as well as how to manage them. The following information addresses such topics, so keep reading to find out more about mood swings during pregnancy.

What are mood swings during pregnancy?

Mood swings during pregnancy are defined as a psychological disorder that causes “rapidly changing and unpredictable moods”. Women will suffer sudden and intense changes in humor that are inexplicable. In some situations, women might not know why they are sad or angry and this can be upsetting.

Many factors can affect a womanīs emotional stability but itīs important to understand the impact mood swings during pregnancy can have. The following article explains the different causes of mood swings during pregnancy.

What causes mood swings during pregnancy?

chart mood swingsMood swings during pregnancy are caused by both psychological and physical factors but physical causes are mainly responsible for mood swings during pregnancy. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone have a definite effect on a womanīs mental state and they can produce mood swings during pregnancy due to the fact that they regulate serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin is the chemical that manipulates mood. If your serotonin levels drop, your mood will worsen; and if they rise your mood will improve. Therefore, mood swings during pregnancy occur when serotonin levels are not properly controlled.

The psychological causes of mood swings during pregnancy include stress, over-exertion, and fatigue.

As imbalanced hormone levels are the most common trigger of mood swings during pregnancy, itīs important to try and maintain hormonal balance with the help of a variety of safe and effective treatments. Read on to find out what steps to take in controlling mood swings during pregnancy.

Managing mood swings during pregnancy

The most important thing in working out which treatment is best for you is establishing whether your mood swings during pregnancy are caused by psychological or physical factors.

However, keep in mind that in most cases a combination of psychological and physical treatments is best in controlling mood swings during pregnancy.

Psychological causes can be deterred with regular exercise and allotted relaxation time. Due to the fact that mood swings during pregnancy are mainly caused by low hormonal levels, a hormonal balancing program is recommended. Other ideas for managing mood swings during pregnancy include alternative medicine and a healthy nutritional diet, which helps to balance serotonin levels in the brain.

Click on one of the links in the article below to learn more about the treatment for mood swings during pregnancy that is best for you.

Three approaches for treating mood swings during pregnancy:
Three levels of approaches can be considered for treating mood swings during pregnancy:
(1)lifestyle changes, (2)alternative approaches and (3)drugs and surgery. The safest way is to start with the least risky approach for mood swings during pregnancy and go on to the next level only if it is necessary. Click on treatments for mood swings during pregnancy to learn all about these three excellent approaches.

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.