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Women, Their Hormones and Mood Disorders: How Do they Connect?

Mood disorders can be a sign that you have a serious and pervasive health problem. For many women, hormones and the lack of it are usually to blame.


According to Kathy Hegadoren, the Canada Research Chair in Stress Disorders in Women at the University of Alberta, there is growing evidence that the female hormone, estrogen, does simply function to affect the female reproductive system, but moreover, plays a critical role in mood disorders in women.


Estrogen can be used to treat your various mood disturbances including your perimenopausal, postmenopausal and postpartum depression. Although these treatments can be difficult to interpret, researchers are beginning to recognize the complex interactions among estrogens, serotonin and mood.


Research shows that prior to puberty, the rates of mood and anxiety disorders are similar in boys and girls. After the girl begins to menstruate, however, the gender difference in mood disorders become extremely wide. For older women, they appear to be especially vulnerable to mood disturbances during times of hormonal flux. This overwhelming evidence makes it difficult to ignore the existing relationship of females, hormones and mood disorders.


It is imperative therefore that in dealing with your mood disorders, your hormonal dysfunctions should also be treated. By treating hormone disorders, your mood swings are eliminated and you are able to enjoy more balanced and functional life. Below are a few methods on how to deal with your hormone disorders, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of mood swings. Remember that your treatment depends on the severity of your mood disorder and also your preferences.


Exercise


Exercise is a proven method to fight mood swings and reduces tension and stress, even for women with hormonal deficiency. Since exercise increases blood circulation, it helps the body release beta-endorphins which serves as an analgesic in repairing your moods. Remember, however, exercise should be initiated at very modest levels and increased gradually to prevent overexertion. Overexertion can stimulate the adrenal functions which tends to worsen mood disorders.


Proper Diet


Your diet plays a large role when using hormones to eliminate mood swings. Eliminating caffeine, salt, alcohol and simple sugars in the day-to-day food intake can decrease the severity of your mood disorders. Females with fluctuating sugar levels are advised to eat smaller meals every three hours rather than three large meals to keep the blood sugar stable. Fluctuating blood sugar can cause highs and lows in your energy levels which tend to cause mood swings.


Vitamins and Food Supplements


Taking a simple multivitamin can work effectively to alleviate irritability, depression and fatigue. The most effective vitamins for repairing your mood disorders are vitamin B6, B complex, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions. It is an effective treatment of a variety of problems, including mood, personality, anxiety, eating, substance abuse, and psychotic disorders. For mood, in particular, CBT can help identify and resolve your mood triggers by applying coping mechanisms and alternate responses.


Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy


For treating mood swings in women with very little hormones, bioidentical hormone replacement is the best therapy, particularly testosterone creams. Not only is it natural, it replaces the hormones in your body with hormones that are identical to those your body produces naturally. Bioidentical hormones have been proven effective in providing relief for women with hormone deficiency. Not only are they safe, but also easy to use and non-invasive.



Click here to read about the symptoms of low testosterone in women





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