Estrowellness, Niwali

Hormones and Mood Swings in Women: Things You Need to Know

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Hormones
04
Feb

Mood swings in women are the biggest symptom of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Nearly, every woman goes through it. To be precise, PMS is some emotional as well as physical symptoms that are faced by a woman a week before their menstrual cycle or period starts due to hormones.

Hormone imbalances, especially the decline in estrogen level are one of the key causes of PMSes and that result in abrupt changes in the mood of a woman.  One might wake up in the morning in a good mood but in the daytime find herself irritated or angry.

Some of the common mood swings that women come across are:

  • Sadness or emptiness
  • Anxiousness
  • Excitability
  • Rudeness
  • Irritability
  • Anger
  • Confused

Most women in their midlife face this and there are many reasons why that happen so.

PMS and Mood Swings: Is It Caused by Estrogen Hormones?

Medical researchers have still not confirmed what exactly causes PMS. But, most of them presume that hormonal imbalances in females cause PMSes which happen mainly during the second half of their menstrual cycle when ovulation starts due to hormones.

When ovulation takes place in the second phase of the cycle, the body releases the egg from the ovary which results in a sudden decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels. Sudden fluctuations in these two hormones, especially estrogen cause emotional breakdowns or surges.

The dropping of estrogen levels also affects the level of serotonin in females.  Serotonin is a major neurotransmitter i.e. nerve cells produced in the body (in the digestive system) that control basic senses like sleep, hunger, or moods.

Serotonin is circulated through blood platelets and the central nervous system and made of amino acids, called tryptophan. The serotonin levels drop down along with a fall in estrogen which then causes the feeling of sadness, loneliness, anger, depressed or irritability.

While hormonal imbalance is definitely a cause for PMS or mood swings, it is not always to blame. When a woman faces extreme mood swings or anxieties or sadness, there may be several other psychological factors too.  It’s always better to consult a therapist then!

What Women Experience Due to Their PMS?

While nearly 75% of women have PMS symptoms, they vary with women. Here is what different women feel or experience as a result of PMS.

We have already mentioned the emotional changes that women go through. These are major behavioral and physical changes that they experience.

Behavioral changes:

  • Sudden crying spells or extreme tearfulness
  • Lack of concentration and confusion
  • Forgetfulness
  • Decreased appetitive or increased hunger cravings
  • Lack of sleep or too much sleep
  • Hostility
  • Aloofness or unsocial
  • Restlessness

Physical changes:

  • Abdominal bloating
  • Tenderness in breast
  • Constipation
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue or dizziness
  • Swelling in hands or legs
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Lower energy levels

PMS is a combination of emotional, behavioral, and physical changes that women get about a week ago. While some may have severe symptoms, some may have mild symptoms.

However, on average, most women above 30 years of age have the symptoms and they also affect their daily lifestyles. For instance, some may become reluctant to work, do not attend office, get into fights with near or dear ones, miss social events or happy events, and so on.

Seeing a doctor or taking effective treatment such as a natural hormonal supplement helps much in relieving these problems.

Here are Key Ways a Women Can Reduce Her PMS Symptoms

Adopting some major lifestyle changes along with useful medical therapies can help women get relief from PMS syndrome.

Exercising is the first therapy

Most medical experts and women’s therapists well advocate that exercising is the key way to get relief from many PMS symptoms, especially the physical ones. You should try doing at least one form of exercise, whichever makes you happy and relaxed. It can be a walk or jog, some fitness/gym activities, or some yoga.

Make sure to do it daily and for minimum of 30 minutes.

Looking after Nutrition Pattern Helps

If you are facing severe symptoms of PMS, then take care of your diet or nutritional intake. Give away habits of junk foods and alcoholic beverages. During the second phase of your menstrual cycle, avoid taking more amount of sugar, fats, calories, or salt as they have major effects on the mood. So, restrict intake of these.

Eat more fruits, veggies, as well as whole grains that are highly nutritious and they balance the number of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, hormones, and other nutrients in the body.

Getting Enough of Sleep

Lack of sleep and that too regularly is truly a distressing condition in the lifestyle of a woman.  If you’re having sleep deficiency, it destroys mood which subsequently affects your daily activities and behavior.

Having a minimum of 8 hours of sleep is necessary and so if you are having trouble getting it, try therapies like music, meditation, hot bath, and so on.

Having Medication or Hormonal Supplement

If basic therapies like the above turn ineffective because your PMS symptoms are quite severe, you can seek a doctor’s advice and can even try natural or fully organic estrogen balancing supplements.

Final Word

While PMS is a set of symptoms occurring in a monthly pattern, things get real tougher for women when nothing is done to reduce them. From accepting some major lifestyle changes to consumption of a hormone-balancing supplement, there are many effectual remedies that can keep PMS problems at bay and so you should try them if you are having major problems.

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