How to Manage Hormonal Mood Swings

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Healthy hormones are crucial for a healthy, happy you. With hormones, there is no cutting corners, and there is no faking it. Your monthly period is your monthly report card that tells you how you've been doing with your diet and lifestyle.

Many times doctors will prescribe the birth control pill to mask a hormonal imbalance.

Scary fact: Did you know that a recent study found that  60% of women on the pill are taking it for hormonal symptoms, not because they are trying to avoid pregnancy? (1)

This is just lazy medical care, and it puts the patient at risk.

The birth control pill will only mask the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. The key to freedom is finding the root cause of your hormonal imbalance, and empowering yourself with the lifestyle and dietary changes necessary to reach your optimum levels.

Another way to empower yourself is to be aware of the different phases of your period. Your hormones fluctuate (it's more of a dance really) throughout your period. Every month you will go through the same ebbs and flows of high energy, low energy, introversion, and extroversion.

Your hormones keep every part of your body working properly. Estrogen and progesterone, the primary female hormones, are essential for reproduction, growth, metabolism, and immune function. However, their constant fluctuation may also wreak havoc on the way many women feel.

Women must manage the fluctuations of hormones and what they may do to growth, metabolism, reproduction, or even just feelings. And as women age and go through menopause, hormones take another swing.

The first step of managing your mood swings is to be aware of the stages of your cycle, and to plan your activities accordingly (when possible) . For example, if you are in your luteal phase, don't feel like you have to go to that dinner party out of obligation even if you are feeling low on energy and a bit introverted. Instead, stay home and practice some self-care, like journaling, watching a movie, or taking a hot bath.  And don't feel guilty about it!

To learn more about the different stages of your cycle, and to empower yourself with the natural evolution of your hormones throughout your period and during menopause, check out this graphic made from Health Perch.

Infographic from Health Perch

Sources:1. Dr. Jolene Brighten in July 2017 interview with Dave Asprey.

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