I've probably had these all my life! I definitely had them when I was having periods. My PMT was undeniable; I was homicidal until somebody told me to start taking Evening Primrose Oil. I was about 29, I think and boy, what a difference it made to me! It took about three months to get into my system, but it just completely balanced me out, it was fantastic - not only for me, but for everyone in my life.... I'm actually still taking it, 30 years later.
During menopause, you can be up one day, down the next and your children or loved ones can be more annoying than usual; little things can really get to you, where before, you'd have ridden the storm with calm. Triggers are all the more prevalent, something on the tv can touch your heartstrings and people around you can be more frustrating than ever. The slightest thing can make you fly off the handle. Though you may feel out of control, you actually are experiencing one of the most common symptoms of menopause - mood swings.
This has the knack of making you feel completely lost. Emotions may get confused for you; I know they have for me. I've often felt I was going potty, but I've learned that it's par for the menopausal course. Sadly, those around us can't read our minds and for the most part, don't understand this time in our lives, so you may not get much sympathy.
Reasons
As with most of our symptoms, fluctuating hormones are mostly to blame, although research continues. These hormones (I won't get into chemical names) are responsible for serotonin release and that controls your mood. So, it goes up, so does your mood - it goes down and your mood follows.
However, if you think about it, at the same time, we're experiencing hot flushes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and maybe other things are happening in your life that affect how you feel - no wonder we get cranky!
Remedies
Once again, exercise and relaxation can have a huge positive effect. They say that just 20 minutes three times a week can make a difference. The important thing here is to do something you enjoy. If you hate swimming, don't do it. If you enjoy a walk, get round the block three times a week, or dance or take up some sport. As with everything, if you enjoy it, you'll go back to it.
The magical thing about is, though, is that you don't think about yourself when you're doing something that focuses your mind elsewhere. During my menopause, I've really indulged myself in my thoughts and feelings and it hasn't done me any good at all; it's taken up too much space in my brain. If I distract myself, it's a million times easier to handle and I actually have the strength to feel less of a victim.
Some recommendations include eating peas, beans, drinking hot milk. Another factor to consider is to snack rather than allow too much time between meals. This all helps the hormone-balancing act.
Other recommendations are therapies, such as yoga, meditation, massage and acupuncture, but that all depends on your budget, of course. But any of these treatments, which can help you become quiet, will benefit you hugely, if you can stretch to that.
Naturopathy can be a life-saver, because a naturopath will 'prescribe' a tincture or cocktail of herbs which will help balance you beautifully. But again, this may be something you can't afford right now.
