I am 54 years old, and I have not had a period for eight months. I have noticed however, that my mood swings are getting worse. I have isolated myself from my family, my children think I'm bi-polar, andall I want to do is be left alone in my bed. I have cancelled going to events that I normally enjoy over the Christmas and New Year period, because I do not want to mix with people. Any little thing annoys me and makes me kick off. I don't want to spoil things for other people. I'm not eating either. Please can you help me?

Some women do experience this drawn out end to periods although it is not very common.

Every so often your body decides it's not done yet and produces sufficient hormones to trigger ovulation and then a bleed!

This hormonal shift is probably also responsible for your feelings. Oestrogen acts as a mild antidepressant and generally makes us cheerier. With less of it around, we can feel very emotionally vulnerable, or weepy, or even anti-social, even though our brain tells us that there is no real reason for our feelings.

There are several things you can do to make yourself less vulnerable.

Firstly, you could consider taking a phyto-oestrogen, which is gentle oestrogen found in plants, which can make you feel more emotionally robust without any of the side effects associated with a strong oestrogen like HRT.

Check out Menopause Support for this one option.

Secondly, you could consider taking Hypericum, if you are not on any other medication. This is a mild plant-based antidepressant that many women find very supportive during the menopause.

Thirdly, exercise makes you produce more natural antidepressants in your own body, so although it's usually the last thing you feel like doing when your low mood strikes, a 10-20 minute walk, or quick jog around the block, or even 5 minutes with a skipping rope, will make you feel a lot better.

If you get used to doing a small amount of exercise most days - just 10-20 minutes, nothing drastic - then you will be better protected against low mood.
 
You may also find Mood Essence or Confidence Essence helpful, and these can be taken alongside any other medication or supplement.

However, if you feel your mood continues to fall then it is important to see your doctor. For some women the hormonal shift can get too severe for self-help and your doctor can often recommend something to help you through this time.

Eileen Durward