Mood Swings & Menopause Can be Caused by Fluctuations in Serotonin

| Posted: 06-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 2 | Rating: (50)

(?)

Menopause can bring on mood swings that make you not recognize yourself. You know, where the slightest request from your husband can cause you to go off. Or perhaps the cries of your child for a new Playstation game makes you lose it. For me, I would be standing in a grocery story line and see a small child and begin to weep uncontrollably. Typically mood swings can't be explained rationally.

These kinds of lightning fast changes in how you feel play a significant role in the menopause game and are often one of the first things women notice that causes her to suspect something is not right! Sometimes it is a very circuitous route to discovering that you are in perimenopause. Characteristics of menopausal mood changes can include extreme irritability, blatant rage, concentrated anxiety, depression, indifference as well as nervousness.

Menopause and mood swings work together because changes in hormonal levels (most notably, dropping progesterone and estrogen levels) are beginning to take shape inside a woman's body. Hormone levels affect the level of serotonin in the brain which can cause depressive symptoms. These changes may make women feel unreasonably insecure about themselves and their current role in life, which contributes to more feelings of worthlessness.

Other factors that trigger mood swings in menopause sufferers are the symptoms they face. Tinnitus (whooshing and ringing sensations in the ear due to nerve damage as a result of aging & hearing loss), incontinence (or other abnormal bladder behavior), and hot flashes also add to the overall crankiness a menopausal woman faces.

Mood swings can be significantly reduced by following a course of action such as a weekly exercise regimen. Exercise, specifically meditation, deep breathing and yoga, have been proven to relieve mood swings. Besides, exercise is the ultimate anti-aging activity - women who move their bodies consistently report looking and feeling younger. And, many women have reported the benefits of soy products as well as a natural progesterone cream to relieve symptoms.

Another healthy objective is to have a steady social support group to turn to. Menopause sufferers find that soothing words from their family and friends, some confirmation that the sky isn't falling down and that she is certainly not alone, is a tremendous help to their overall well-being.

The third course of action is to follow the right diet. Caffeine loaded drinks like coffee and soda can lead to symptoms you want to avoid such as breast tenderness. They will only excite your body's nervous system leading to restless sleep that can make you cranky throughout the day. Drink certain decaffeinated teas that increase serotonin levels in the brain, like passionflower and chamomile, which will also relax and help provide blissful sleep.

Here's a tip for some that don't have a lactose issue - grab the milk bottle in the refrigerator and warm it up. Tryptophan, a component found in warm milk, is known to increase serotonin in the brain and can help you rest better. A multivitamin and mineral supplement may also help load your body with the right nutrients, balancing things out. Be sure to check with your doctor about what types and amounts are appropriate for your body.

You can avoid menopause mayhem and eliminate mood swings and the sudden onset of crying by following the above advice - feel refreshed mentally and emotionally for a better day

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Menopause, Mood Swings

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/women's-health-articles/mood-swings-menopause-can-be-caused-by-fluctuations-in-serotonin-352741.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant and freelance writer and can be reached at creativecommunications@cox.net

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Women and Weight Loss
By: John Spencer Ellis | 03/06/2008 | Women's Health
Dealing with weight loss in men is very different in women. There are other factors that influence a women's weight gain or loss. Some are hormonal, diet, or other factors that influence weight gain. Women should consume soluble fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrates, along with proper exercise. This will ensure a healthy diet and life style.

Mood Swings & Menopause Can be Caused by Fluctuations in Serotonin
By: Cathy Taylor | 11/04/2008 | Elderly Care
Menopause can bring on mood swings that make you not recognize yourself. Like standing in the grocery store crying because you see a little kid. You feel like you're going insane. But you aren't, and this information can help you.

Detecting Menopause Through Testing
By: Kathryn Whittaker | 21/09/2005 | Women's Issues
Can occur between late thirties and late 50s, and not a single woman can avoid this period. Considering that menopause hits a woman in her most active life stage, it is not.

Menopause Treatments and your Diet
By: Caren Killtral | 08/06/2006 | Health
An informative article exploring some of the latest news regarding menopause and the food you eat.

How to Get Better Sleep When you Have Severe Hot Flashes
By: Dulce Azogue | 22/09/2006 | Wellness
Hot flashes can be annoying because they can cause insomnia. But you can something to relieve the effects of hot flashes using the tips below.

Vitamins For Menopause - Naturally!
By: Dean Caporella | 20/10/2006 | Non-Fiction
So how important are vitamins in the treatment of menopausal symptoms?

Dealing With and Treating Menopause
By: Nathalie Fiset | 14/11/2006 | Health
Menopause can be a great experience if a woman follows the proper recommendations.

Help For Hot Flashes Without Hrt
By: Linda Bruton | 15/12/2006 | Women's Issues
While some women experience hot flashes for a brief moment during menopause, there are some women who experience this annoyance for the rest of their lives. Even though the severity and intensity of such a condition lessens with time, menopausal women and breast cancer patients are constantly seeking help for...

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Women's Health Articles

Puffy Eyes - Safe Effective Healing Treatments - Prevent Eye Puffiness and Dark Circles
By: Kacy Carr | 20/08/2008
How to tell if your puffy eyes need medical attention

Vaginal Itching & Infections – Does Your Vagina Itch and Sting When You Pee
By: Kacy Carr | 20/08/2008
Is your vaginal itch caused by an infection

Choosing Your Nursing Area
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
Once you've reached the third trimester, you'll probably start stocking up on nursing bras, breast pads, and loose button down shirts for the coming months ahead. While getting ready to breast feed, you can also create your personal area, a custom designed breast feeding area for yourself.

Breast Feeding and Weaning
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
When your baby has stopped breast feeding and gets all of his nutrition from other sources than the breast, he's actually considered weaned. Even though babies are also weaned from the bottle as well, the term weaning often refers to when a baby is stopped from breast feeding.

The First Six Weeks of a Pregnancy
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need - at least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease fighting compounds that aren't found in formula.

Getting Solid Foods for Your Baby
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
Breast milk is all your baby will need until at least 4 months of age. There does come a time, when breast milk will no longer supply all of your baby's nutrition needs. Full term babies will start to require iron from other sources by 6 - 9 months of age.

Going Back to Work After a Pregnancy
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
Once you return to work, you can continue to breast feed. If you live close to work or have an on site daycare, you may be able to breast feed during your breaks. If that isn't possible, you have 2 choices: 1. Keep your milk supply by using a high quality automatic electric breast pump to express milk

Having Poor Milk Supply
By: Jasmine Stone | 20/08/2008
Almost all women don't have a problem with producing enough milk to breast feed. The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be sure that he's well positioned, attached to the breast, and feed him as often as he gets hungry.

More from Cathy Taylor

Locating Lost Benefit Plan Participants
By: Cathy Taylor | 20/08/2008 | Human Resources
Discover what the legal requirements are for benefit plan administrators in locating lost plan participants

How to Rescue yourself From Sleep Apnea
By: Cathy Taylor | 04/08/2008 | Sleep
What is snoring and sleep apnea could killd you? Two new studies p report that sleep apnea increases the risk of death from any cause, especially if left untreated. Find out how to help yourself.

Church Wedding Decorations With a Floral Theme
By: Cathy Taylor | 03/07/2008 | Weddings
Church wedding decorations provide people with a first impression on your wedding day. Learn how to decorate with flowers on your special day in a way that no one will forget for a long time to come.

Top 10 Cravings and Their Healthy Food Choices
By: Cathy Taylor | 07/06/2008 | Nutrition
Many people have the same kinds of food cravings every day. Find out what healthy food choices you can make to satisfy your cravings.

Yoga for Yeast Infection
By: Cathy Taylor | 22/05/2008 | Women's Health
Can Yoga Really Help You Prevent or Cure a Yeast Infection?

How to Stop Snoring Overnight
By: Cathy Taylor | 15/05/2008 | Sleep
Snoring upsets many people's lives on a daily basis. Nearly 50% of middle-aged adults have some episode ofnoring in their lifetime. And, if can significantly impact your health. Find out what you can do to stop snoring in just one day.

Aromatherapy and Its Benefits
By: Cathy Taylor | 06/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Aromatherapy is used as an alternative healing method that can help you relax and let go of stress and so much more ...

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Follow ArticlesBase at http://twitter.com

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.13, 17)

Mood Swings & Menopause Can be Caused by Fluctuations in Serotonin

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Women's Health Articles

More from Cathy Taylor

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter