Moodiness

Post your questions on menopause here.

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twinlorna
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Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:29 pm
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by twinlorna on Mon Nov 02, 2020 11:45 pm

Moodiness

Help! Apart from night sweats, I have become extremely moody and want to bite everyone's heads off :evil: Sometimes it can be for a few hours, sometimes a few days at a time.

I hate the person I'm becoming :( .

What can I do to stop being in such a bad mood? (Forget about antidepressants because I have been on them long term and still take them - albeit I'm trying to slowly wean myself down to a lower dose.)

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Anita Ralph
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Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:21 pm
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by Anita Ralph on Thu Nov 05, 2020 2:09 pm

Re: Moodiness

Hello, and sorry to hear that you have not been yourself, experiencing unwelcome moodiness and irritability. However, this is the commonest symptom complained of at menopause, much more prevalent for us women than hot flushes are – you are not alone!

It depends on whether you are peri-menopausal (still menstruating, even if erratically), or post-menopausal (one year after your last period) as to what the best advice is. But most women experience this symptom at peri-menopause, and some describe it as a return of the moodiness they experienced at puberty. In a way the two situations are rather similar! Ideally teenagers are nurtured through puberty, at menopause it can seem as if we are doing it alone.

Most medical herbalists would use a combination of herbs to optimise the processes going on beneath the surface at peri-menopause.

We would try to improve hormone balance as best we can by using herbs such as chaste-tree berries (Vitex agnus-castus) on a regular basis – and for at least 4 months. Chaste tree does not contain hormones but can ‘nudge the body’ into more of a balance. Ideally you take this herb every morning (in line with your hormonal body clock!) for 4-12 months or for as long as is needed up to (and just beyond) menopause itself. It is extremely safe and can be used alongside antidepressants.

We would also advise our clients reduce any nervous system ‘irritants’ from their diet/lifestyle (caffeine, alcohol, sugar and refined carbohydrates) and make sure to drink plenty of water and ideally, lots of calming herb teas used throughout the day (think chamomile and fennel, lemon balm and mint, lavender and passionflower). You should think about drinking at least 3 herb teas like this per day.

Finally, we would check that the gut, the liver, and the microbiome are in working optimally and are in balance. Hormones are made by our body, but they also have to be excreted effectively by the ‘revolving door’ within the liver and gut. Medical herbalists use an ancient concept of ‘cooling liver herbs’ to reduce irritability/moodiness but we need to know more about the person to be able to prescribe correctly.

You could consider finding medicinal foods to help with this such as maca powder (a small teaspoon daily – perhaps in a low sugar, nutty muesli?) and 'bitter' green leaves (they have this 'cooling' effect) such as watercress, parsley, and kale.

In addition, many culinary and medicinal herbs have a vital pre-biotic effect in the gut that can improve the ‘gut-brain axis’. The link between our gut and our emotions is increasingly better understood to be intertwined. As herbalists we find that herbal medicines are excellent in restoring gut health and thus harmony of mood. Think in terms of reducing refined carbohydrates (bread, biscuit, cake, pastry, pasta) and using beans and lentils, pseudograins such as buckwheat, and quinoa, and increasing plant fibres by eating lots of vegetables. Research in to PMS for instance has shown huge benefits to women who improve their diet in this way, and the same applies at menopause.

Medical herbalists specialise in combining herbs that work well together and are in harmony with an individual’s ‘constitution’ (we are not all the same) and often have 200-300 herbs that they use regularly. If you try the herbs recommended here yourself for 6-8 weeks and do not get results, you might like to consider seeing a qualified practitioner who can create the perfect combination for you? In addition, a herbalist would be able to advise you of nutrient foods to use alongside these lovely herbal medicines. The National Institute of Medical Herbalists has a list of qualified registered practitioners www.nimh.org.uk But I am sure you will find some benefits from using the herbs I have suggested in the meantime.
Anita Ralph
Consulting Medical Herbalist - MSc (herb med) MNIMH MCPP

https://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/c ... nita-ralph

twinlorna
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Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:29 pm
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by twinlorna on Thu Nov 05, 2020 10:50 pm

Re: Moodiness

Anita,

Many thanks for your reply which is very much appreciated.

Yes, I am peri-menopausal so your explanation of hormones, etc., is very good.

I will try the herbs as you suggest.

Best wishes.

twinlorna

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