Understanding your emotions
Menopause can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you are happy, and the next you find yourself feeling really low.
Living in a constant state of emotional limbo can be confusing and disruptive to your daily life. And it’s no wonder – with the menopause hitting the majority of women suddenly and unexpectedly, many feel they have little time to ‘prepare’ or even learn about the varying effects of the menopause.
Sudden emotional outbursts might make you feel ashamed or embarrassed, putting distance between you and your loved ones. After all, if you’re finding it hard to describe the way you’re feeling, or you’re not even sure why you’re feeling that way, knowing where to turn for support can be tough.
This can be an isolating and lonely experience. However, it doesn’t have to be – 15 million women in the UK expressed feelings of being overlooked and deserving better during the menopause (GenM Visibility Report, 2024).
Women experiencing the menopause are not alone; but the first step in learning how to deal with mood changes is to understand why they happen. In this blog, we explore why the menopause causes mood swings and look at effective strategies for managing your emotions during this time, to empower you to take charge of your wellbeing.
Why do mood swings happen?
Mood swings are one of the main signs of menopause – with around half of women able recognise them as a key sign of the experience – but that doesn’t make them any easier to understand and cope with.
So, why exactly does the menopause cause this emotional rollercoaster? During perimenopause – the years leading up to the menopause – the hormone changes that you might feel you have a hold of from your period can affect your emotions again.
Hormone fluctuations, caused by rapid elevations and decreases in oestrogen levels, are the primary cause of mood swings during menopause. Oestrogen plays a key role in regulating mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin in the brain. As oestrogen levels fluctuate, it can throw your mood off balance, causing feelings of irritability, sadness, and even anxiety.
How can mood swings affect you?
About 4 in 10 women experience mood swings during perimenopause that are similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) – such as feeling irritable, having low energy, feeling tearful or moody, and finding it hard to concentrate.
Lower oestrogen levels can also trigger increased cortisol production. Commonly known as the stress hormone, elevated cortisol may make you feel anxious and heighten stress.
While you might have felt on top of your PMS with the predictability of your menstrual cycle, mood changes due to the menopause are more sporadic and can catch you off guard. Depression and anxiety are commonly reported during this time, making it hard for you to take care of yourself.
When combined with other experiences of the menopause – such as hot flushes, hair thinning, and trouble sleeping – and the pressures of daily life in your 40s and 50s, mood swings can add to mental health challenges.
Managing your mood changes
One of the ways in which you can start to manage your menopause mood swings is through making simple lifestyle improvements. You can take better care of yourself by:
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Staying active – get some exercise every day, whether it’s a walk in the park or joining a fitness class
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Eating well – incorporate healthy, nutrient-packed foods into your diet such as oily fish, seeds, dairy items and grains
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Getting a good sleep – aim for seven-nine hours of rest per night
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Dedicating time to self-care – implementing a consistent daily routine using menopause products to elevate your wellbeing
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Opening up to loved ones – by talking to friends and family, you can share your experiences and strengthen your relationships
By embracing simple, everyday changes, you will start to feel more in control of your emotions and gain some menopause relief.
Our M-Power menopause products are designed to empower women to maintain mental clarity, emotional stability, and a positive outlook during menopause, using natural menopause remedies. Our Well-Being and Relaxation Support and Uplifting Oral Supplement Sprays use a blend of B Vitamins and Magnesium to support energy-yielding metabolism and normal psychological function, with a patented Micro Droplet Technology that gets to work instantly. By simply incorporating one of our Supplement Sprays into your daily routine, you can support a reduction in tiredness and create a calm feeling.
Managing your menopause mood swings starts with understanding your body. Our Pulse Point Roller Oils are designed to create a sense of balance and relaxation, helping you to combat emotional changes. Choose from our M-Body Mood Harmony Pulse Point Roller Oil, made with bergamot and juniper berry oil, or our M-Power Calm Companion Pulse Point Roller Oil, made with jasmine and sandalwood, to create a calming experience using aromatic oils that will infiltrate your skin all day.
Navigating menopause
Menopause might feel confusing and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By better understanding how your hormones will change, and adopting a proactive approach to self-care, you can get some menopause relief and build stronger relationships with those you love the most.
To find out how M-Club can help level your emotional playing field, click here to see our whole product range.