You are at home cooking dinner, setting the table and doing one hundred and one tasks so that after dinner you can drive your teenage kids to their various activities. Your husband arrives home in a cheerful mood, says hi to the kids but forgets to talk to you!!! That’s it – you fly into a rage. In your mind’s eye you see yourself raising the cooking utensil you’ve been using and you think that if you throw this utensil you can hit your target right between the eyes – or better yet – what if you aim for his crotch?

After dinner, when you’ve calmed down, you sit down in front of the TV to relax before you, the taxi-driver mom, have to drive away for the evening. On the couch you snuggle in beside your husband all lovey-dovey and you think what a wonderful guy you have.  As you watch some no-brainer comedy and you glance at your aging dog you start to cry and suddenly the crying turns into uncontrollable sobbing.

Although this is a fictitious scenario, this woman is experiencing menopausal mood swings. If you are experiencing a similar emotional roller coaster ride and you are in your 40’s then you are probably entering into a new phase of your life-menopause.  For some women these menopausal mood swings can be devastating not only to themselves but also to their family and loved ones.

Menopausal mood swings can be significantly reduced by improving your lifestyle.  A weekly regimen of exercise, specifically yoga and meditation, has been proven to relieve mood swings.  Do not take this for granted.  You must be kind to yourself and do the necessary things for yourself that will ensure that you remain happy and healthy.   If you are simply running about the day looking after everyone else, as most women tend to do, then you will surely suffer the feelings of rage that come with menopausal mood swings.  Your husband and children will not understand your behavior and you will end up with unnecessary feelings of guilt and depression as part of the whole cycle that could have been avoided.  Equally important is to have a support group, either loved ones or friends that can help you navigate through this time while having a positive effect on your overall well-being.  Stick to a good diet, eat wholesome foods and avoid caffeine loaded drinks which will exacerbate your symptoms.

If you feel you are stressed out and losing control, take a break, make a cup of herbal tea with chamomile and passionflower.  These herbs are calming and may help you get back into control where you will feel better about yourself.   Slow down, enjoy your tea, do a few yoga stretches and enjoy your family.  If a cup of tea isn’t sufficient then you may want to consider St. John’s Wort and Chasteberry which help some women with menopausal mood swings or a depressed mood. 

Women with a history of depression or other mental disorders may find that menopause can lead them into serious depression or other psychological conditions.  If your emotional symptoms are severe, see your physician and request that he/she do a careful evaluation or send you for a psychological or psychiatric consultation to differentiate menopausal mood swings from those due to a psychological condition. This will enable the best and most effective therapy to be selected.

Menopause, a natural part of a woman’s life, occurs between the ages of 45 to 55. During this phase of a woman’s life the female reproductive system shuts down, the ovaries stop producing eggs and the body produces less estrogen and progesterone. It is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. However, many women experience a number of physical and emotional symptoms.

Menopause bloating is a common symptom that many women experience. In menopause bloating, air fills the abdomen creating a feeling of fullness and discomfort along with pain. Excessive intestinal gas and fluid retention is caused by fluctuating hormones, particularly estrogen, which is often associated with weight gain.

Estrogen affects water retention and during menopause when estrogen levels are erratic, water retention increases leading to bloating. Estrogen also influences the production of bile, a substance which keeps the intestines lubricated.   As estrogen levels decrease during menopause so does bile.  Without bile, the stools become hard and dry accumulating in the small intestine causing constipation and bloating.

Eating certain foods can also cause bloating.  This includes foods such as cauliflower and broccoli which are gas producing and can add more gas to an already bloated intestine. A diet high in protein may add to a bloated feeling because your body may not be able to digest it. Foods loaded with sugar can contribute to extra bacteria. High salt intake causes intestinal fluid retention and bloating. Calcium supplements can cause bloating in some people.

Swallowing air could be causing bloating. Some individuals swallow more air when stressed or anxious. Chewing on gum and smoking can make you inhale more air. Talking while eating is another common reason for swallowing air.

Although menopause bloating is a common occurrence and is not a serious ailment, if the bloating is persistent you should see a physician. Seek medical advice immediately if bloating occurs with a change of bowel habits, persistent diarrhea and constipation, blood in stool, fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be a sign of some serious underlying medical condition.  Some medical conditions that can cause bloating include; bowel obstruction, colon and rectal cancer, diabetes, diverticulitis and liver cirrhosis.  In women it could also be due to ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids.

In treating Menopause bloating its best to start with lifestyle changes. If menopausal bloating is caused by excessive intestinal gas, start by making dietary changes. Avoid dairy products, sodium and gas- producing foods such as broccoli and beans.  Chew your food slowly and eat several small meals throughout the day. This will prevent swallowing air and improve digestion. If poor digestion is a major problem add enzyme-rich foods such as pineapple and papaya to your diet. A comprehensive digestive enzyme product is appropriate.

Add dietary foods that decrease gas and fight bloating.   These include bananas, grapes, rice, peanut butter, herbal teas and yogurt.  Add foods that promote more consistent estrogen levels such as soy, apples, alfalfa, cherries, rice and yams.

If menopausal bloating is caused by constipation then increasing fibre in the diet should relieve the bloating. An herbal fibre supplement containing several sources of dietary fibre works great. Make sure you are drinking lots of water, at least 8 cups per day.

Stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation can also help. Core exercises such as Pilates that improve the muscle tone of your abdomen also helps.