Hormones affect many bodily functions and are a vital element of our makeup. Often referred to as messengers that indicate good and bad activities inside our bodies, hormones regulate things like weight, food cravings, and sexual desire. Due to their impact on so many systems within the body, hormonal fluctuations can contribute to major life disruptions.
Hormones don’t simply float around our bodies. They are also metabolized in the brain. This metabolic process has been found to be the cause of mood swings. Some women metabolize hormones differently than others. This difference can throw off the body’s balances.
Hormone Fluctuations During Menopause
With hormones being affected by factors which women can’t control, many times the added, inevitable occurrence of menopause only makes things worse. Fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone initiate the noticeable symptoms of menopause. Inconsistent menstrual cycles and mood swings are common in menopausal women.
Menopause is difficult enough to deal with, but for some women it comes with other problems. Those other problems can include bouts of depression. Feeling sad or unmotivated is extremely common in menopausal women. Unfortunately dealing with these new emotions may lead some women to engage in activities that exaggerate their symptoms. Drinking and isolation can enhance sadness and feelings of a lack of motivation.
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During menopause, the ovaries produce fewer hormones. Two hormones in particular, dopamine and serotonin, affect the neurotransmitters in a woman’s brain. Dopamine and serotonin are known as ‘feel good’ stimulants. They have an anti-depressant effect. The lower levels of estrogen in menopausal women contributes to the symptoms of depression many women experience.
Feeling down in the dumps for a day or so is very different than the feelings that are a result of long term depression. Everyone has temporary swings in moods which may result in short term bad feelings. However, depression is ongoing and evidenced by continually declining feelings of lack of interest or enthusiasm.
Hormone Replacement Therapy to Ease Through Depression During Menopause
There is a way out of the grips of menopausal depression and it doesn’t always have to include the use of SSRI’s. Many women can experience improved symptoms by practicing stress management methods that include meditation, physical exercise and changing their sleep patterns. Nutrition can also be used to control symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is an option for women who are experiencing depression due to the reduction in hormone levels that comes with the onset of menopause. HRT consists of introducing bio identical hormones into the body that replenish the lost hormones. The bio identical hormones can be administered through a pill, cream or patch.
There are many benefits to HRT and it is considered the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms. To learn more about HRT, call (561) 922-9967 to find out how HRT for Women can help your mood swings and symptoms of depression.
Whether you are experiencing mild or severe symptoms of menopause, seek support first. Once you have the support of loved ones, you can focus on the treatment options that are available to you.