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Mood swings associated with menopause usually are caused by decreased estrogen levels. When estrogen levels are too high or too low, a hormonal imbalance results. Regaining this balance is necessary to deter mood swings, increase energy and help women lead active and happy lives before, during and after menopause.
Mood swings can start before or during menopause. During perimenopause (the period before menopause begins), you may experience mood swings due to increased estrogen production. Mood swings may continue to occur during menopause when estrogen levels begin to decrease. - Coping with mood swings by making changes to your diet, exercise regimen and sleep schedule or by talking about emotional changes with others can help you deal with the symptoms of menopause. However, only herbal treatments and medications can help correct hormonal imbalance. By making changes to your lifestyle and seeking help from your physician to restore hormonal balance, you will see a decrease in mood swings, hot flashes and depression.
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Herbal supplements for low estrogen include non-estrogenic and phytoestrogenic herbs. Both help regulate estrogen levels in the body in different ways.
Non-estrogenic herbs help the body increase production of estrogen. Macafem, a plant found in the Andes Mountains, is a popular non-estrogenic herb that in addition to helping the body produce estrogen can increase energy, decrease mood swings, provide some relief from hot flashes and increase libido. There have been no side effects reported by those who have used macafem.
Phytoestrogenic herbs contain estrogen. These herbs replace estrogen in the body instead of encouraging the body to produce its own. In addition to decreasing mood swings, phytoestrogenic herbs improve libido and help prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Herbs that are considered phytoestrogenic include gingko biloba, black cohash and dong quai. Because phytoestrogenic herbs replace estrogen in the body, concerns about breast cancer and other women's health issues have been debated by physicians.
Before starting any herbal treatment, consult your physician. Learn more about the pros and cons of each herbal treatment and how each will affect your lifestyle. Combining herbal supplements and other types of medications can be dangerous and should be avoided unless permitted under a physician's care.
