Mood Swings During Menopause — Hormonal Causes and Natural Remedies

One minute you’re fine, then even a small comment has you in tears, or you snap at someone you love and regret it later. Mood swings during menopause are a likely culprit, and understanding what’s going on inside your body can help you take care of the negative implications.

Why Do Mood Swings Occur During Perimenopause?

Estrogen helps keep several mood chemicals in check. Why mood swings happen comes down to estrogen and progesterone fluctuating during perimenopause, then later settling at a lower level post-menopause.

Some of these chemicals are:

• Serotonin: It’s responsible for mood, sleep, appetite and anxiety. Estrogen helps it do its job, so when estrogen fluctuates you can feel low, irritable or anxious.
• GABA: It’s your brain’s calming signal, regulated by a progesterone by-product called allopregnanolone. When that drops, you may feel wired, restless or anxious, and your sleep is affected.
• Dopamine: Supports motivation, reward and focus. Dysregulation of dopamine levels, lead to a low feeling affecting mood and emotions.
• Noradrenaline and cortisol: These handle arousal and stress. Hot flushes and night sweats are linked to them, and disrupted sleep makes everything feel harder.

When Do Mood Swings First Start?

Most women experience significant mood swings during the hormonal fluctuation of perimenopause. This phase can last several years as these hormones eventually deplete to negligible levels. For some women this stage raises the risk of low mood or depression and may require medical attention.

Hormonal or Psychological: How Can You Tell?

There are a few clues to understand if these changes are hormonal or psychological, although it’s best to consult a medical professional before making any assumptions related to mental wellbeing.

Hormonal mood swings tend to fluctuate along with the hormones, and they are often accompanied with irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats and poor sleep.

Constant feeling of low mood without associated symptoms can be a psychological symptom. Along with losing interest in things you usually enjoy, or feeling hopeless for weeks can aggravate the symptoms. Whatever the cause, these signs deserve a proper chat with your doctor.

How Long Can These Symptoms Last?

It varies, because every woman’s journey is different. Mood changes can show up throughout perimenopause, which can last 2-4 years. Many women find things settle once their hormones settle at their new low and the body and brain adapt to this new hormonal environment. For others the symptoms can be carried on through post-menopause.

Is There a Way to Prevent Mood Swings During Menopause?

Preventing the underlying cause of hormonal decline is simply not possible. But, there are certain practices such as regular exercise, healthy sleep routine, healthy lifestyle practices, certain nutritional supplements and stress-reducing activities that help your brain cope with the hormonal fluctuations.

The research on physical activity and menopause is encouraging. Women who exercise regularly tend to have fewer low-mood and anxiety symptoms. Regular strength training, walking, yoga, all help protect the body through the various changes taking place during menopause. It also helps maintain body composition, metabolism and mood directly liked to the hormonal decline.

Menopause Mood Swings Remedies: Natural Ways to Manage Emotions

If you are looking for natural ways to manage emotions, start with taking care of your body.

• Regular Movement: Walking, yoga or resistance training, help in protecting bone health, cardiovascular health, muscles, metabolism and overall health. This plays a huge role in how smoothly you can transition and how prepared your body is for the decades after menopause.
• Sleep: Your body does all of its recovery and maintenance while sleeping, this includes hormonal health. Good sleep also makes sure your brain gets enough rest to recover from daily stress and can improve mental wellbeing. So, avoid late nights whenever possible, especially if you are around the age of 40.
• Mindfulness and breathing exercises: Deep breathing, meditation or even five minutes of quiet time can help settle a racing mind. Avoid using your phone or artificial light during these quiet moments. Even reading a book in natural light makes a difference.
• Nutrient rich diets: The female body has altered nutrient requirements during the menopausal transition. Declining hormone levels cause the body to exhaust certain nutrients that can lead to deficiencies. The body also changes the way it stores fat, utilizes insulin and energy requirements change. Keeping this in mind include a whole food diet and supplement nutrients or fortified food if you are facing any deficiency.
• Talk about it: This is no time to quietly endure the symptoms. Tell a friend, a family member or a support group how you’re feeling. Talk to your doctor if the symptom feels severe. You don’t have to carry this alone. Menopause mood swings remedies work best when practised regularly.

Natural Support: WYN Menopause Tablets

WYN Menopause Tablets are built around phytoestrogens from isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), hops and flaxseed. These plant compounds have estrogen mimicking effects and they bind to ER-β receptors, which are present in the brain, bones and vaginal tissue. They work naturally to ease hot flushes, help balance mood and support hormonal balance.

The tablets also contain:

• Myo-inositol for metabolic and hormonal balance, and for easing supporting blood sugar levels naturally.
• Choline for memory, focus and clarity, which comes in handy with menopause brain fog.
• Resveratrol, an antioxidant that supports healthy ageing, cell protection and bone health.
• Vitamin D3 + K2 (MK-7), which work together to support bone metabolism and mineral density as estrogen declines.
• Folic acid (B9) to support your energy levels and blood health through this transition.

Are Phytoestrogens Safe for Menopause Mood Swings?

Phytoestrogens have been used for women’s hormonal symptoms for centuries. They’re found in herbs like Shatavari, Vidarikand, hops and flaxseed, etc. They’re structurally similar to the estrogen your body makes, which is why they can offer gentle menopausal support and don’t have any cancer causing side effects commonly associated with conventional synthetic hormone replacement therapies.

The interesting part is that they bind mainly to ER-beta receptors, found in the brain, bones and vagina, and largely steer clear of ER-alpha receptors, which dominate in breast and uterine tissue. That selectivity is why they’re seen as a gentler, plant-based way to ease hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness without increasing the chances of breast or uterine cancer.

When Do You Need Medical Attention?

Mood swings are common, but you should see your doctor if:

• Low mood or anxiety is constant without irregular periods or other menopausal symptoms.
• You’ve lost interest in things you normally enjoy.
• Your sleep, work or relationships are suffering.
• You feel hopeless, or you’re having thoughts of harming yourself. Please reach out for help straight away.

Moving Through Menopause

What causes mood swings during menopause?

The ups and downs of estrogen and progesterone affect brain chemicals like serotonin, GABA and dopamine leading to mood swings. Poor sleep, hot flushes and stress can make the swings feel even stronger.

How long do menopause mood swings last?

They often appear during perimenopause, which can last several years, and for many women they ease as hormones settle and the body adapts to the new hormone levels. If they continue or worsen, it’s best to consult your doctor.

What natural remedies help mood swings?

Regular exercise, good sleep, relaxation, nutrient rich meals and talking to people you trust are a great place to start. Plant-based natural support, such as from WYN Nutritional Mints for Menopause are a great options form women who don’t want to go for conventional HRT.

Can supplements help menopause mood swings?

Some women find natural supplements helpful, especially those with phytoestrogens like genistein and daidzein, along with herbs like black cohosh and hops. WYN Menopause Tablets combine these with nutrients like choline, myo-inositol and vitamin D3 + K2 along with phytoestrogens to provide holistic menopausal support.

When should you see a doctor about mood swings?

If low mood, anxiety or irritability lasts more than a few of weeks or affects daily life, it’s best to consult your doctor.