What Have Others Done About the Irrational Mood Swings of Menopause?

Hi Katie,
I don't know really about menopause, but I've been thru a divorce rather recently so I can relate to the anxiety part.

What's really helped me well to adjust has been regular, guided meditations. It's about soothing music and a moment with positive guidance.

It's helped me.

All the best,
M.

OMEGA WOMAN !!! from nordic naturals, the best! All the ladies I know take it and are symptoms free (for two years). I take it esporadically, and it works wonders.

I had the same problem; I ended up taking an SSRI antidepressant. It helped me sleep better and smoothed out the ups and downs, allowing me to see things in a more realistic perspective. The mood swings did not completely disappear but the swells were smaller and much easier to deal with. Exercise and relaxation techniques have also been helpful. Good luck!

I had similar symptoms. On a friend's suggestion I went and saw her chiropractic (not some I typically do, but I felt desperate and I didn't want take hormones. She advised me to drastically reduce my caffeine intake and limit sugar. She started me on several supplements including one called Total female which decreased the hot flashes I was experiencing. they were occurring hourly and now I have mild ones maybe once or twice a day. She is located in Oakland, closer to the tunnel. Her number is 510 450-144. She has a long last name, so I call her doctor B. I feel significantly better than before I went to her and before this I wasn't a believer in alternative medicine. BTW she didn't do any spinal manipulation.

St. John's Wort has helped me immensely!!! Had it not, I would have tried going on Yaz (birth control) next.

I hope you find something that helps you!

I haven't experienced menopause myself, but I know that my mom found natural progesterone cream to be helpful when she went through menopause several years ago. There are several different brands available at Whole Foods, Elephant Pharmacy, and other natural food stores. One that she used was called "Progest", but I'm sure if you ask at the store they'll be able to recommend one too. Good luck!
~ S.

You might try accupuncture and chinese herbs. My sister has been doing that and says it has really helped her.

Also, read Christine Northrup's book on menopause....................You may find some ideas there.

Good luck! I'm not far behind you!

There is a product called Change of Life, you can find it at any health food store or I did see it at Raleys, My cousin swears by it. She and I both have our teenagers on it for moodiness. I might be worth a shot. If not, a good antidepressent might help. Good luck!
J.
mother of 2,an 8 year old boy and a 14 year old girl

I agree with the posts about nutrition. Caffiene can affect women in different ways too. I've also started taking Omega 369 and vitmin menerals specific to women. When I take them consistantly I notice a big difference in my emotional balance as well as less headaches which seemed to be hormonal. The brand I take is through Isagenix and Dr. John Grey. I can tell you more about it if you want and your health food store can be a good reference. Take care and all the best, this is a challenging time and so disconcerting to feel this way!

I was having horrible mood swings and anxiety more than hot flashes and then I started using a supplement formula purchased off the HSN shopping channel called Women's Wellness.. it is one of Andrew Lessman's products.

It changed my life!!

(Consider that sentence bolded, underlined and in all caps.)

Now I feel more in balance and like my adult self (age 51) rather than my cranky young teenager self. I've been using it for about three years and would not be without it. You can read a lot of user comments on the HSN website. Good luck!

Have you considered seeing a nutritionist? After talking to one, I realized thtat my hormones were not too waky, even though I felt I was! But, learning how to eat better (even though I thought I was eating good) has made a huge difference. Also, a friend of mine was just telling me how great accupuncture was for her... I didn't check where you are from, but I hear that the Auburn Wellness Center is excellent and cost effective.

Good luck,
R.

Hello D.,
First, have you been to your Dr.? I'm a 59 y/o grandmother of 8 wonderful G-kids. Harmones really make a difference, also a talk with the family. I was a teenager when my mom and dad went to the Dr. about menopause. My dad then had a talk with me about the symptoms and the cause. Before that I just thought she was a mean irrational woman. My children were already out of the house when mine came around. When the irrational anxiety of menopause comes around for me I find that distraction is a good ploy. It has to be something that really gets your attention, be it a book you are interested in, a friend to talk to, a walk, and or just writing down what you are feeling can be cathartic. If you are a woman of faith start your day by asking the Holy Spirit to comfort you as you deal with this time in your life. Pay close attention to your health, getting enough rest, exersize, water and healthy food. Good Luck.
B.

50 mgs of 5HTP X2 a day
600 mg of St. John's Wort X2 a day
Omega Woman (Nordic Naturals) X2 a day
Green tea capsules ( in the morning)
Neuro-PS (Puritan's Pride) 1 cap X2 a day
Lots of water at least 8 cups a day!!
And excercise!!!
Love, G.. :0)

I was having anxiety, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, endless periods, etc. etc. so I went on the pill to regulate. It works.

D.,
Arbonne International sells a great natural hormone balancing cream. You can check it our at arbonne.com. If you know of anyone that sells arbonne, call them, or I can get it for you. I personally haven't used it, but I know many people that it has really helped them.

Hi D.:

Your case is not strange. Your body is complex and as it changes, the nutritional needs are very key to your comfort level. If you call me, I will connect you by phone with women that have all but forgotten their symptoms. It is not hard, nor expensive and if you don't get relief, I will return your money.

A. Bofinger ###-###-####

Hello D., It sounds like you are perimenopausal and I went through some the crazy mood swings and other symptoms that go with this wonderful new stage of life and am suggesting talking to your doctor about HRT (hormone replacement therapy). By your statement, one day you are going crazy and the next you are fine, you may be experiencing an imbalance of your hormones and you may not be ready for this until you experience some of the other annoying symptoms that come with this passage but if you do consider HRT I also suggest opting for real hormones, I (and my family) did lots of research about HRT and found out that real hormones are much better for you. HRT has definately "balanced me out" (especially with all the anxiety & anxiousness) and I am sleeping much better than I had before. So think about it and good luck to you.

Hi D.:

I am 51 years old and was going through the same thing. I researched menopause on the internet and found a yahoo group on menopause that was talking about a natural progesterone cream. They were all raving about it, so I decided to try it. It really helped! Please contact me if you would like more information on it.

M.

Hi,

I have been virtually sympton free from menopause - I'm 51 now and pretty much done. My secret agent was my accupuncturist - Shirley Nichols in San Mateo. Two things that were invaluable were Three Immortals - a chinese herb supplement that you can buy online - and 5HTP - you can buy at Walgreens...ironically the 5HTP caused me to have hot flashes so I had to discontinue but it completely fixed my mood when I became extremely low and irritable. I still take occasionally like i would advil for headache if I'm having a particularly tough day. You don't have to suffer!!!!!
Good luck!

Hi D.,

I Congratulate you for being aware that you are experiencing the signs of menopause - its normal for a woman at your age. Others are hardly aware of it and so they do things which they regret later. There's practically nothing you can do about it except to be patient with yourself and accept it as a transiton to another stage of your life. Thank God for being a woman!

Sr. Luz R.

I purchased an herbal product called Hot Flash by Source Naturals. It takes care of all menopausal symptoms. You may want to check with your doctor to see if something like this would be right for you.

Hi D.,
I am T. and when my son was 1 yr old I had a hystorectomy and they had to take everything and it took me a few years, before I felt somewhat normal. There are some great natural products that you can get at the health food store, the 1st on that I would suggest is called DHEA, it's a woman's formula and helps with balancing the hormones while you body is going through the start of menopause. The stuff you have probably seen on TV called estroven (you can get any where)is one that had natural planted based estogen. This is what you body is loosing. St.johns wart is something that will help with the mood swings. I fully understand what you are going through and it's not fun and unless the friends and family you talk to have gone through it they arn't always so understanding. My husband was very supportive and when I would feel out of control and wanted to bite everyone's head off for nothing, I would take a walk outside and ask my family to leave me alone for 15-20min and walk it off and take alot of deep breathes to calm myself down. Increasing you soy intake,like a protein drink or soy protein bar really helps, as you are going through this you need to up your protein levels, which helps keep the blood sugars in the body level and really help with fatigue. If you ever need to talk to me or have any questions feel free to email me.
____@____.com
Take care T.

2 words: compounded hormones!!!!!!

Hi D., no I haven't myself gone thru it yet but was very close with my mom when she did. First thing is try and avoid hormone therepy if you can. Her and a handful of her friends all had major side effects from it. But the mood swings, one natural thing that helps regulate mood swings and acts as a stabilizer is DHA. Its naturally occuring in omega-3 fatty acids but specifically for mood swings and no interaction with other drugs, "Nordic Naturals DHA". Strawberry is my favorite. It saved my marriage during both pregnancies and I now live on it. Just google the name brand and check out the benifits. Good luck and breathe...

Hello, when I was about 47, I began to struggle with my hormones. Life at that time was rather stressful. I was quite emotional.I read a book from our local health food store, What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Menopause, and found out my body was estrogen high and progestenone low. I used natural progesterone cream in very small amounts and it made a giant difference.My husband and my daughter said"Take your creeam, Mom!" Some people need more.Find a doctor who will use the natural creams not the synthetic pills.It can be dangerous to use even the cream in too large of a dose. I believe it is healthier. My family is very thankful I found the resources I did in my late fourties. Now I am 53, have finished the process, don't have to use the cream now, and just take calcium and multi- vitamins.God made our amazing bodies, we just have to figure out how to take care of them. I"ll say a prayer for you as you figure this out. Blessings

Dear D.:

I feel your pain! I went through that when I began menopause (didn't realize at the time how many suicidal thoughts I was having!).

Depraloft (a holistic antidepressant that you can get at some health food stores and places like Pharmacopia) and extra Gara (B-vitamin, excellent for stress) helped me. Took a couple of days to really feel relief beginning, but the Gara was effective at lessening the knot in my stomach.

I also make a product in my Essential Oil line that I call "Flash Relief". It's great for calming hot flashes, but also helps with those hormonal imbalances that come with PMS, Menopause and other joyful female times. Let me know if you'd like more information.

And most importantly, take some time for yourself to just be alone and quiet. Soaking in a tub with some therapeutic bath salts (yes, I do make these, too) in a dark bathroom with perhaps some soft music in the background can be very healing. Just make sure the family knows that you are totally off-limits while you take your time-out.

Hang in there!

V. T