What Pendulum Are You Swinging From Golden Divas?

I ask this question because as women we are naturally mood swingers, we swing from highs to lows in a matter of seconds. One minute we can be on top of the world happy and laughing out loud, singing to a joyous song in our head. The next moment we can be crying silently over a dog commercial. And this is normal for us because we are women.

Now, couple this with menopause where we can be sitting on an emotional pendulum; up one minute and down the next. Just as things seem to be going well for us and we’re in a very good mood, in an instant something happens and our mood goes crashing to the ground.

Let Me Introduce You to Your New Best Friend

Since menopause is a time when the body is going through major hormonal changes, the hormones which trigger ovulation and menstruation are also important for releasing a mood-regulating chemical called serotonin.

As these hormones decline when you approach the menopause, so does the level of serotonin. Unfortunately, the decline of these hormones is not a smooth and steady descent but a bumpy road down. When the serotonin level is high, your mood soars; when it is low, so is your mood.

As you can see this exasperating symptom called mood swings compliments of our dear friend Mz. Menopause can turn a woman into Mrs. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde and unfortunately this is what our loved ones have to deal with on a daily basis. Sorry again Rick! Lol!

Menopause expert Eileen Durward explains that these mood swings are not a reflection of our personal disposition, but rather an unpleasant side-effect of the fluctuating serotonin levels, so ladies don’t take it personally when you get the side-eye.

Golden Divas, mood swings can affect all us very differently, although there are many consistencies in the symptoms. The majority of women experience unexplained moods which are continually changing (Mrs. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde), reactions far stronger than a particular situation merits, irritability, and less tolerance or patience than normal.

Now I know we all get a little cranky or sad every now and then. But if you feel like you’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster since you been in the stages of perimenopause and menopause you are not alone. According to ob-gyn Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at Yale University and author of What Every Woman Needs to Know About Menopause this is more normal than not. In fact, studies show that at least one in four women will have some symptoms of depression during this transitional period.

Golden Divas, even though you may feel like it, you’re losing your mind, you’re not and you’re not alone! According to Dr. Minkin, there are a whole bunch of things that can make you grumpy and irritable during menopause, besides the norm such as the following:

• Hot flashes
• Sleep problems because of hormone changes
• Memory Lapses
• Taking care of near-adult-age children
• Taking care of your parents
• Empty Nester

These factors can be frustrating and add to your petulance. That is why it is important to remember that all of these symptoms are a result of your hormones changing, and often these ease up once you are through the menopause

CONTROL OR LACK OF!

 Janet Jackson sings the mess out of that song and I so love to hear it when I occasionally catch it on the radio; however, that is not my truth right now.

My hormones are so out of control. Now, I must admit since menopause started my patience has become very short and I don’t seem to tolerate a lot of mess. Simply put I don’t deal with it and I try not to deliver it either. Gone are the younger days where I tolerated unnecessary things. I really try very hard to check my feelings and stay on top and in control of my situations.

Now don’t get me wrong I ‘m usually a well – balanced person at least before menopause; however, I have noticed my emotions have been all over the place and yes this can become very frustrating because sometimes I feel out of control and it takes me out of my happy go lucky character. Sometimes the pendulum swings a little too far to the left and I have to reel it back in to balance things out. 

For instance, I found myself recently getting overwhelmed with some situations. Just the other day after reviewing a play that was upbeat and very entertaining on the way home I heard a song that normally wouldn’t make me cry but I couldn’t control the waterworks that took precedent at the time. The funny thing… I asked myself why am I even crying over this song. It never affects me this way.  

Then there’s this Uncle Ben’s rice commercial that gets me every time I’m watching television. It’s a life lesson commercial of the son imitating his father every move, the song is priceless “Show Me The Way” by Peter Frampton. I see this and the tears are streaming better than a video on social media.

Now you can imagine when Ricardo (my hubby) catches a glimpse of this he is probably wondering….okay what just happened? Or what triggered the waterworks NOW? So you see this emotional roller coaster of menopause is no joke, to say the least.

Emotional changes we experience as we undergo perimenopause or menopause

• Irritability
• Feelings of sadness
• Lack of motivation
•  Anxiety
• Aggressiveness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Tension

I know right?! Now, if you are experiencing any of the above there is probably a 99.9% chance that it is the dreaded menopause gift; however, the symptoms listed are not only linked to menopause. There are a number of conditions that can cause you to feel downright irritable. Tell your doctor how you are feeling, so he or she can rule out other medical or psychiatric conditions. However, for this post, we are talking about mood swings and menopause.

Menopause and Mood Swing Facts

• Millions of women are suffering mental health problems due to menopause
• Survey: 61 percent of women are suffering from anxiety due to symptoms
• 87 per cent would rather treat symptoms naturally than take medication 

10 ways to deal with mood swings WITHOUT medication 

• Get active – and do it regularly
• Talk about it
• Use mindfulness
• Avoid overthinking – and count your blessings 
• Set small goals
• Try some breathing exercises 
• Cut back on the booze
• Plan little pleasures – and be kind to yourself
• Get some herbal help
• Remember that less is more

Golden Divas what are you doing to control your mood swings?

To read more about how to deal with your mood swings go to the following:

References

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3218428/Why-menopause-makes-women-feel-depressed-10-ways-deal-mood-swings-WITHOUT-medication.html

http://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/mood-swings-in-menopause.aspx

http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/later-life/menopause/emotions-mood-swings-anxiety-and-depression