Setting the mood: What to do with menopausal mood swings

Women get sold a lot of spin during their lifetimes, from the latest diets to ‘revolutionary’ skin creams. Some may end up believing treatments that make claims about relieving menopausal symptoms are, well, just part of all the spin. But unlike miracle creams, which are unlikely to stop wrinkles, there are many treatments that have been tested by scientists and shown to help minimise the turbulent highs and lows that are part of menopause for many women.

What just happened!?

So you’ve just stopped menstruating and your mood is all over the place? Still having to deal with pesky periods and fork out for tampons, but your mood has already started jumping around? One of the best things you can do is talk to a professional; by finding a fabulous ear to bend, you can get out your emotions and fears and identify what’s causing them.

Sometimes the mood changes which happen at menopause are caused by upheavals in the woman’s life rather than hormonal changes alone. Don’t forget to consider changes which might affect your emotions and contribute to the emotional changes you’re experiencing.

Feels like more than just a mood swing

Mood swings aren’t simply about feeling good one minute and feeling terrible the next. They can feel complex and wide ranging. You may experience anxiety one day, feel depressed the next, tearful and irritable in between and elated five minutes later – for no apparent reason. You may even find mood changes are accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, dizziness or sweating.

OK, it sounds pretty bad, but it’s not all doom and gloom. There are a range of treatments that women experiencing menopause find effective in treating these symptoms – make sure you take a minute to ask your doctor about these.

Waiter, there’s a pill in my soup

The most tried and tested approach is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This treatment involves taking oestrogen, usually added with progesterone, in the form of a pill. HRT replaces some of the oestrogen which isn’t being produced anymore by the body of a menopausal woman, and in doing so can help relieve mood swings caused by oestrogen deficiency. There are both risks and benefits associated with HRT (and loads of opinions – even Germaine Greer put her two bobs worth into the debate). Make sure you receive information from a reliable source – go to your general practitioner.

Got Herb?

This is not a crack about the 60s, even though some of us can remember (or can’t…) but relaxing yourself in more ‘alternative’ ways can ease your menopausal mood a little. And by alternative, we’re talking about things like aromatherapy and herbal remedies. Just bear in mind when considering their use that scientific evidence about the effectiveness and safety of herbal supplements is generally lacking.

If you want to give them a shot, the herbs to look into are black cohosh, gingko biloba, ginseng, St John’s wort, kava kava and phyto-oestrogens (plant-derived oestrogens, which are currently the most promising and best tested natural remedy).

Remember to speak with your doctor first, though! Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe or that it won’t affect the function of other medications you’re taking.

Tips and tricks to flip the script

In this phase of your life, you can’t just change your mood by putting on some Barry White, but there are definitely ways to take the edge off those severe extremes. Staying healthy by eating well, exercising and avoiding smoking and too much alcohol is a good start. It’s also important to keep your mind healthy and active – surround yourself with supportive people, put aside time for socialising (it’s for your health!) and keep your mind sharp by solving brain teasers and crossword puzzles.

Don’t ignore aspects of your life which might be affecting your emotions – if you’re stressed out at work, it’s probably contributing to your mood swings. If your kids have just moved out (or moved back in for the umpteenth time) or your parents are hospitalised, this is likely to be affecting your emotions too. If you find your life is getting in the way of your mood, make sure you get professional help.

Hear me roar

Throughout history, women have proven their might, and throughout your life, you have proven yours. So face this new phase in your life head-on, with all the information and aids (including friends and medicines). Now is the time to take advantage of all the wisdom you have accumulated and strength you have acquired.

You are woman … so let’s hear you roar!