Menopause Mood Swings and Emotional Symptoms

The menopausal years – from pre menopause to post menopause and everything in between – bring a lot of changes, most of them decidedly unpleasant. Menopausal mood swings are some of the worst, at least emotionally speaking. They turn your entire world upside down. Even your family and friends can be affected – and frequently are, through no fault of your own. Mood swings in general are horrible. When you experience them during a time of such completely change, they are even worse. You are completely out of control. In fact, the fluctuating moods you go through during this time in your life have far reaching causes and consequences.

You see, it goes so far beyond simply being extremely happy or sad. These mood swings make the ones that teenage girls go through seem like kid stuff. They are absolutely brutal. The really awful part is that a lot of people – doctors included – totally overlook them. They do not consider them a symptom at all. Some of them will even make you think that you can control them if you try. If medical professionals can think that, it is no surprise that often, your husband, children, friends, and other family members do not understand what is going on with your moods. However your women friends and family members in the same age group will understand. Your mother, sisters, aunts, et cetera, will understand. To that end, support groups – even if it is just a group of women taking turns meeting up in each other's homes – can be absolutely invaluable to a menopausal woman.

As stated, menopausal mood swings consist of much more than just the typical seesawing emotions associated with the term. They are more than merely rapidly changing moods. The worst thing is that, also as mentioned, the people you love can actually confront you for being so topsy turvy. Mind you, that might not be their actual intent, but at such a sensitive time of your life, it can easily seem that way to you. You can go from feelings of depressed, heartbroken misery to blind rage to manic, frenetic happiness, all in the blink of an eye.

The way the estrogen and other essential hormones in your body are fluctuating and decreasing are considered the biggest contributors. However, even that is only an estimation. Doctors are fairly sure about this, but the fact remains that they do not really know what leads to these manic mood swings. The other symptoms of menopause can definitely act as catalysts. For instance, menopausal women often suffer from insomnia. They are also extremely fatigued. The combination of being completely exhausted but unable to sleep can definitely make you emotional. Naturally, intensely uncomfortable hot flashes and night sweats can also lead to mood swings.

In addition to talking to other women who are going through the same thing, you can do some things to make these particular symptoms better. Sitting down with your family with some literature on menopause is one way to start. It will let them see what you are going through, and clear up any misunderstandings. Staying away from stressful situations whenever possible is also beneficial. More than anything, you need to take some time for yourself, whether you choose to read a book, take a bath, or go on a walk.