Oestrogen deficiency is thought to be the instigator of tears, cognitive decline, depression and almost everything bad in menopause (or at least it feels that way).
Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. Shifting hormone levels and night sweats may disrupt your sleep. This can cause fatigue, which may make mood swings worse.
But if you begin to feel persistently sad and like just about anything could send you into a crying spell, the hormonal changes of menopause are more than likely to blame. If you're severely depressed, don't hesitate to seek help from a medical professional.
People who menstruate experience mood changes regularly due to shifting estrogen levels. Dr. Louann Brizendine (she/her) explained that fluctuating hormone levels increase crying; this is common when someone's fluctuating hormones of your menstrual cycle go up and down more aggressively, which can cause more crying.
Depression and anxiety affect women in their estrogen-producing years more often than men or postmenopausal women. Estrogen is also linked to mood disruptions that occur only in women -- premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and postpartum depression.
Biologically, there may be a reason women cry more than men: Testosterone may inhibit crying, while the hormone prolactin (seen in higher levels in women) may promote it.
Mood swings occur when serotonin levels rise and fall rapidly, leading to the roller coaster ride of emotion many women experience during their menstruation and menopause cycles. Both estrogen and progesterone, which fluctuate during a woman's cycle, control serotonin production levels.
One of the most common results of this is that women with high estrogen levels have a strong sensitivity to emotion, and can be easily moved by things. Women who have these high levels will often say that they cry at commercials or are very anxious over someone's emotional state.
Would hormone replacement therapy (HRT) help? Studies on taking HRT to treat tearfulness are currently inconclusive. HRT is proven to help with hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes, sleep, among others. However, it is not suitable for everyone.
Hot flashes and Night Sweats
Estrogen affects the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. Low estrogen causes hot flashes and night sweats, two annoying symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.
Dr Zahra Ameen advises: Exercise in a way that's managable while on your period. Most people won't feel up to a HIIT session, but a calming yoga practice or stretch can help. Serotonin is released when we exercise, helping to regulate mood, increase happiness and reduce anxiety.
Symptoms of low estrogen
As a person gets close to menopause, they may notice symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. Other symptoms of low estrogen, which may happen during or outside of menopause, include : absent or irregular periods. bone fractures due to osteoporosis.
Crying is a normal emotional response to many different factors. However, frequent, uncontrollable, or unexplained crying can be emotionally and physically exhausting and can greatly affect daily life. This type of crying may result from a mental health condition, such as burnout, anxiety, or depression.
Crying easily can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or a lot of stress in your life.
Estrogen helps protect the heart from disease, potentially by maintaining higher levels of good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in your blood. Lower estrogen levels, especially during menopause, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Once women are taking the right dose of HRT for a few months, there is usually an improvement in mood, anxiety, irritability and other changes. It can take time however to find the right dose and type of HRT for you and psychological symptoms often take longer to improve than physical symptoms.
Anxiety and worry can disrupt daily activities, and hormonal imbalances such as serotonin or cortisol may be the root cause. Fluctuations in estrogen can also cause heightened anxiety.
Most studies agree that the risk of depression increases during the menopause transition. Symptoms of depression include crying a lot, feeling hopeless or worthless, feeling numb, and losing interest in your normal activities.
The most common consequence of aging-related hormonal changes is menopause. Around age 50, women's ovaries begin producing decreasing amounts of estrogen and progesterone; the pituitary gland tries to compensate by producing more follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
Risk Factors
Age is the number one risk factor for low estrogen. As a person with ovaries approaches age 47—perimenopause age—they experience fluctuating estrogen levels for several years until full menopause. Some other risk factors associated with low estrogen include: Extreme dieting or eating disorders.