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Women: Are Your Hormones Ruling Your Life?

Posted on: Thursday, 19 January 2006, 06:00 CST

By MADELEINE BAILEY

IF you're forever yelling at the kids, dreaming of killing your boss and itching to strangle the cat, you could be suffering from more than a short fuse.

When hormones - the messengers controlling our bodily functions - get out of synch, they can produce a range of unpleasant symptoms such as mood swings, depression, weight gain, aches and pains and spots.

Both sexes are affected, but constant ups and downs due to periods, pregnancy and the menopause make women more susceptible.

To find out what's making you moody see our DIY diagnosis chart, right...

PMS

ONE in three women suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which causes mood swings, bloating, tiredness and anxiety.

In some women it can be even worse, resulting in serious work and relationship problems. A recent study revealed one in 10 women has thrown something at their partner while suffering from PMS.

Symptoms are linked to sensitivity to the hormone progesterone, produced during the second half of the menstrual cycle, and may last around 10 to 12 days.

TACKLE IT KEEP a mood diary for three months. That way, you'll soon spot if your symptoms are PMS-related.

If you find that they are, avoid strict weight-loss diets. According to Maryon Stewart, a spokeswoman for the Natural Health Advisory Service (01273 487 366), reducing calorie intake deprives the body of vital nutrients needed for balanced hormones.

"Deficiencies in magnesium, B vitamins and fatty acids are the main culprits of PMS," she says. "So eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg, wholegrain breads, oats and oily fish." She also advises eating little and often in the week before your period to keep blood sugar stable, and resisting caffeine, cigarettes or booze. These prevent absorption of nutrients, making symptoms worse.

In extreme cases your GP can provide antidepressants or the Pill, but many experts claim that self-management can be just as effective. For instance, in clinical trials, PMS Escape (pounds 14.95), a supplement that boosts the "happy chemical" serotonin, produced "significant mood improvement" in three out of four volunteers. Call 0161 483 1235 for stockists. For PMS advice, call National Association for Premenstral Syndrome on 0870 7772178 or log on to www.pms.org.uk

PCOS

AS many as 25 per cent of women have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - multiple cysts on the ovaries - but it only causes problems in a small proportion.

The condition is due to a hormonal imbalance that sometimes prevents ovulation, making periods irregular and reducing fertility. Other symptoms include sugar cravings, difficulty losing weight, acne and tiredness.

According to endocrinologist Professor Nadir Farid, of The Wellington Hospital in London, PCOS can also increase risk of miscarriage, coronary heart disease, diabetes, depression and fatty liver, so it's important to get a diagnosis.

TACKLE IT THE Pill is sometimes prescribed, but Prof Farid says it doesn't address the problem and may make the condition worse in the long term.

The professor, who wrote The Low GI Guide To Managing PCOS (Hodder, pounds 7.99), says: "Women with PCOS are resistant to the hormone insulin and the most important step is for them to lose weight, lessening this resistance.

"The best method is the low GI diet, which involves eating slow- release energy foods such as whole grains and nuts, combating cravings.

"This, along with 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, regulates hormones, improving fertility and easing symptoms. Women also report increased energy and better sleep," he says. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, you will be prescribed Metformin, a drug that reduces insulin resistance and testosterone, which causes acne and excess body hair.

MENOPAUSE

IT'S an inevitable part of ageing, when a drop in oestrogen levels causes changes to the body, from low sex drive to manic mood swings, hot flushes and thinning bones. The average age in the UK is 50, but the process begins several years earlier.

TACKLE IT AS long as you're not at risk of heart disease or breast cancer, your GP can prescribe hormone replacement therapy, but even healthy women are advised to stop this after five years. You should do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise, like aerobics, running and free weights, five times a week to combat weight gain and re-build bone.

Avoid spicy food and stock up on soya. Maryon Stewart says: "Soya has substances that mimic oestrogen, easing the transition. "Try tofu, soya milk, desserts and yoghurts."

Alternatively, opt for a supplement designed for menopausal women such as Vitabiotics Menopace (pounds 5.85 from pharmacies).

THYROID IMBALANCE

THE thyroid gland produces several hormones that control the speed at which your body's cells work and if the balance is upset you'll get all sorts of symptoms.

Underactive thyroid affects one in 50 women and one in 1,000 men, and causes extreme tiredness, sensitivity to the cold, hair loss, sore muscles and low mood.

Overactive thyroid, which affects one in 100 women and one in 1,000 men, causes palpitations, irregular heartbeat, weight loss, anxiety and bulging eyes.

TACKLE IT SEE your GP as soon as possible. Both conditions are easily diagnosed with a blood test and you'll be put on medication to regulate the hormones.

POSTNATAL EPRESSION

THIS affects 10 per cent of women to some extent but experts believe it's on the rise.

The drop in the cocktail of hormones that were swimming around your body during pregnancy combines with new responsibilities and lack of sleep to cause stress and anxiety. Symptoms include feelings of inadequacy, guilt, constant worrying or difficulty bonding with the baby.

TACKLE IT THE longer you leave it, the worse it may get. In a few rare cases women develop puerperal psychosis, which can cause delusions or hallucinations.

See your midwife or GP for help. This could be in the form of antidepressants and/or counselling, but there are also schemes where you can get support from other mums.

Make sure you're getting enough nutrients. Midwife Maggie Evans says, "It's thought that low iron levels in new mums may contribute to postnatal depression." She recommends Spatone Iron (pounds 6.49 for four weeks' supply), a mineral water with naturally high iron levels.

A clinical trial on 80 iron-deficient, depressed new mothers showed a 25 per cent improvement in mood after taking it. Call 01492 640 057 or go to www.spatone.com.

For more information, contact The Association for Post Natal Illness on 020 7386 0868 or log on to www.apni.org

STRESS

IF you lose your temper, catch back-to-back colds and crave chocolate, fags or booze, you're probably a stress bunny.

The stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol were originally designed to give us the strength to fight or flee danger but if they're not burnt off physically, they lead to problems such as aches and pains, indigestion, low immunity and even weight gain.

According to Dr Pamela Peeke, author of Fight Fat After Forty (Piatkus, pounds 12.99), "Cortisol encourages the body to refuel, so you crave fatty food.

"Unfortunately fat cells around your tummy are particularly receptive - this is bad news as fat around the middle increases risk of heart disease and diabetes more than fat in other areas."

This applies to women with waists more than 35 inches and men with waists bigger than 40 inches!

TACKLE IT REPLACE white bread and pasta with energy-boosting whole-meal versions and up your quota of foods containing stress- busting B vitamins, such as porridge, nuts and bananas.

Stress-management expert Elizabeth Scott advises: "Take a brisk 20-minute walk at lunchtime - along with your iPod or Walkman.

"The exercise will combat stress hormones, a break will keep your brain sharp and soothing music is proven to lower blood pressure and calm your mind."

Other ways to reduce stress include saying no to unrealistic commitments and scheduling in a social life.

Having a good laugh with your mates or seeing a funny film releases chemicals called endorphins, which zap tension.

Does the 'manopause' exist?

STRICTLY speaking, there's no such thing as a male menopause. While levels of testosterone decline in men after the age of 40, it's a gradual reduction unlike the sharp drop of oestrogen that occurs during the menopause. However, guys who suffer from low testosterone symptoms such as lack of stamina, low sex drive, irritability and difficulty concentrating, should see their GP. Low testosterone may indicate underlying medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes or liver failure.

DIAGNOSE THOSE UPS AND DOWNS

Do your mood swings get worse before your period?

YES See PMS

NO Are you overweight with irregular periods, acne and excess body hair?

YES See PCOS

NO Are you 45-plus with erratic periods, hot flushes and low sex drive?

YES See MENOPAUSE

NO Are you tired, often cold and depressed OR overanxious with unexplained weight loss?

YES See THYROID DISEASE

NO Have you had a baby in the past year?

YES See POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

NO See STRESS

Source: Daily Mirror

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