How to Soothe Perimenopause Mood Swings and Anxiety

We should say right here and now that if mood symptoms are going to happen, they will be in perimenopause (the transition phase to menopause) and they are temporary.

They are more associated with low progesterone and high fluctuation oestrogen.

You may experience feelings of anxiety, irritability and RAGE!

• If you have suffered from PMS mood swings in the past, you might find that these become more intense during perimenopause.

Things to ask your health professional - anxiety/mood swings during perimenopause:

Deficiencies: Consider Iodine, B12 and Zinc deficiencies as they increase the chances of experiencing mood symptoms.

High prolactin (pituitary hormone) involved in ovulation, breast health, immune function and mood, get it tested.  If it's in the normal range, great, but in the higher range it could be the culprit in your worsening mood symptoms. The herb Chaste Tree can relieve symptoms.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and high histamine: A trigger for MCAS can be perimenopause, as high oestrogen can activate increased histamines. Symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia and breast tenderness.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS experience by 1 in 20 women where you are sensitive to progesterone (which normally is smoothing to mood).  Perimenopause is a potential trigger for this condition or, if you already have the condition, it can worsen.

Consider supplementing your diet with these nutrients:

• Magnesium and Taurine
• Iodine, B12 and Zinc if you are deficient
• B6: good to treat irritability, insomnia and rage
• Chaste Tree: if you have high-normal prolactin
• Other nutrients that you could consider are fish oils, St John’s Wort, N-acetyl cysteine and SAM-e.

Diet and Exercise

• Exercise in nature
• Cut back on alcohol
• If you have anxiety and irritability, consider a low histamine diet, reducing dairy and high-amine foods.

Try our Peri Chai Latte - it's loaded with magnesium to soothe mood swings and anxiety.

Disclaimer:

Please note any suggestions we make are to spark ideas to help you find a solution to your perimenopause symptoms. Before taking any supplements we recommend discussing with your health care practitioner to ensure that any possible interactions with any medications you are on for a medical condition are fully explored and considered before action is taken.