Help With Menopause & Moodiness

During the years leading up to menopause, and sometimes for several months after menopause, a woman's estrogen and progesterone levels can fluctuate dramatically. These hormonal peaks and valleys can cause a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including feelings of nervousness and irritability that we generally term "moodiness." Fortunately, if you're a woman suffering from roller coaster emotions, there is help.

Hormones

• Hormone therapy---in the form of either oral contraceptives or menopause hormone therapy---will even out the sharp rise and fall of hormones that are contributing to your moodiness. You may not realize it, but the other physical symptoms you may be experiencing, including insomnia and night sweats, may be contributing to your irritability. Simply relieving those symptoms could greatly improve your emotional outlook.

  A gynecologist will be able to prescribe the type of hormone therapy that is appropriate given your individual medical history and your place along the menopause timeline.

  Generally, oral contraceptives contain synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone at levels that are too high to be safe for post-menopausal women and so are prescribed only for women who are still menstruating. But if your periods have already stopped, your doctor will most likely prescribe the lower levels of progesterone and/or estrogen found in menopause hormone therapy medications.

Exercise

• The positive effects of regular, aerobic exercise cannot be understated. A strenuous workout will release endorphins (the brain's feel-good chemical) into your body, helping to improve your mood and reduce your stress. Additionally, regular exercise will improve your appearance and overall health by staving off weight gain, strengthening your bones, lowering your blood pressure and improving your heart function.

  The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise three to five days each week. However, the clinic stresses that even smaller stretches of 10 to 15 minutes can make a difference. Remember, exercise doesn't have to mean running a marathon---unless you want to. Walking, gardening and doing housework count, too---as long as you're up and moving.

Talk

• As a woman in midlife, you may be experiencing some major life changes that could be contributing to your moodiness. Maybe you're suffering from empty nest syndrome or you have to care for aging parents. Perhaps you've recently been divorced or widowed or have career or money hurdles that need to be overcome. Whatever the circumstances, you may need help navigating through some of your transitions.

  Confiding in your spouse or a close friend or family member can at least give you the emotional support and assurance you need to make you feel you're not alone.

  If you feel you need more in-depth guidance, you can call your county mental health office and ask them to refer you to a therapist who specializes in midlife issues. You can also visit the National Health Information Center's website for a list of mental health referral sources.