One of the most common issues that perimenopausal and menopausal women may experience are mood swings and depression. Perimenopause refers to the years of hormonal upheaval that precedes a woman’s final menstrual period. Female hormone production begins to change between the ages of 35 to 50, and often women can feel significant effects due to these changes.
Moods can begin to swing erratically as hormones fluctuate like a roller coaster. The ovaries begin to waver in their production of the sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen, and ovulation often becomes sporadic. This can result in irregular or increasingly heavy cycles. Other hormones produced by the adrenal and thyroid glands can also begin to deregulate. The brain also often becomes less sensitive and responsive to the diminishing levels of hormones which magnifies the issues. Many women end up getting prescribed anti-depressants, when in fact, natural hormone supplementation to smooth out the wildly fluctuating hormones during these years may be all they need. Book your appointment here to assess your need for natural hormone treatment. (https://www.drcobi.com/contact)
Some common signs of perimenopause:
- Chronic low energy
- Irregular menstrual periods or heavier cycles
- Loss of interest in activities or social engagements
- Increasing irritability
- Lowered libido
- Memory loss, forgetting words
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood swings and emotional unpredictability
- Night sweats and/or hot flashes
- Unexplained weight gain despite exercise and proper nutrition
Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and DHEA have a powerful effect upon not only the state of mind and mood but also the memory. When these hormones become out of balance which commonly occurs during mid-life, the effects can range from mild to severe often dramatically affecting women’s lives.
Estrogen plays a strong role in mood and memory. Estrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of the cycle as it surges to high levels and increases mood and memory by boosting serotonin and other neurohormones.
Any change in estrogen will affect the mood, often quite significantly. If estrogen is too low, it can cause tearfulness and anxiety. Conversely, if it is too high, it can block the action of its partner, progesterone and we lose the integral calming and mood-stabilizing effects of progesterone. With increasing age, ovulation becomes less frequent. When ovulation does not occur, progesterone is not produced. When progesterone is low, the thyroid function can reduce which can further compound symptoms of fatigue, weight gain and depression.
The androgens, namely testosterone and DHEA, also play an important role in mental outlook and vitality. Once hormones are stabilized through the proper natural treatment program, many women are relieved to find themselves much happier, less anxious and calmer.
Comprehensive Saliva Hormone Testing is an effective tool to identify hormone imbalances linked to mood swings and depression and can serve as a basis for restoring balance as well as a positive outlook on life.
Book your hormone testing today!
Dr Cobi’s Favourite Mood Balancing Therapies
Brain Mood – highly effective for mild to moderate depression and low motivation
Mood Plus – designed for mood swings, stress and depression
Catecholacalm – an amino acid based calming product for anxiety and stress
Relaxeze Ultra – an all-time patient favourite for mood swings, anxiety, irritability and brain fog