The mystery of hormones and how they affect the day to day lives of men and everyone in the path.

The Little Choices you make really will matter.

Women experience many hormones changes throughout their lives.  Hormones can cause many problems in relationships unless you learn how to not trigger the hormonal responses.  This guide will help men/partners navigate through the maze of women’s hormones and produce happier results.

First, let’s discuss the different types of hormone issues.

1.  Premenstrual Syndrome– Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, describes symptoms a woman has a few days before her menstrual cycle, including tender breasts, bloating, cramps, mood swings, and headaches. Depression and withdrawal are common.  This is where men get caught.  They step on the fuse to the ticking time bomb.  It is best to give space during this time and try to limit your comments.  Also offering to be helpful and relieve some of the life stressors could help.

2.  Ovulation– Mood swings that are experienced during ovulation are defined as rapidly changing unpredictable moods. During this period, women experience a sudden flow of emotions like humor, anger, irritability, sadness, anxiety, nervousness, rage, or depression. These emotions do not stay for long

3.  Peri-Menopausal–  During perimenopause, there are wide fluctuations in estrogen, testosterone, FSH, LH, and progesterone. Perimenopause is not simply a time when estrogen diminishes. It is a time when you don’t have enough estrogen and then you have too much estrogen. Perimenopause is a time of wide fluctuations in hormone levels. These fluctuations result in the mood disturbances associated with perimenopause

4. Menopause– Menopause represents the end of menstruation. While technically it refers to the final period, it is not an abrupt event, but a gradual process.

Video explaining Peri-menopause and Menopause

Estrogen is important for female health and brain function. It influences the way your serotonin and other neurotransmitter pathways react to normal hormonal shifts.  When hormonal imbalances are present, a female can experience all or some of the symptoms below.

 Signs of hormone imbalance:

Hot flashes, and night sweats

Sensations of numbness

tingling of skin

Insomnia

Fatigue

A feeling of weariness of mind and body

Vaginal dryness

Irregular menstrual bleeding

Changes in frequency of menstrual cycle

Irritability, feelings of anxiety or apprehension

Feeling of depression, sadness, unhappiness and/or being miserable without any obvious reason

Pain affecting joints and/or muscles

Headaches of any kind

Dry skin

Urinary problems

Digestive problems

Sexual/desire changes

Racing heartbeat

Complaints of skin-crawling

Forgetful, scattered and/or suddenly disorganized

Clumsiness and uncoordinated

Difficulty remembering past events

Memory issues

Here are some tips when dealing with a woman whose hormones are out of balance:

1. Be positive and helpful.  Try to relieve some of the day to day stressors.  Help with the kids, house, or other responsibilities such as a load of laundry.  Any effort whether small or large will not go unnoticed.

2.  Give positive feedback and compliments. Gently encourage but do not push.

3.  Watch what you say and how you say it.  The response you receive will be determined by how well you choose your words wisely.

4.  Look for ways to help her relax.

5.  Don’t be self-absorbed.  Look and be aware of the things going on and then step in and help in areas where it will relieve stress for her.

6.  Let your wife/girlfriend know she can count on you.

7.  Gifts never hurt.  It can be something as simple as a card or pick up something small to let her know you care.

8.  Try to keep humor at the forefront.  Look for comedy movies to go see.  Keep the atmosphere light.

9.  Be patient with her.

10.  Try to take regular walks and get her out and about.  Don’t push the issue, just make suggestions to get moving.  Walking and exercise help alleviate symptoms of depression.  Even if it means suffering through a trip to the mall.

Remember it is only a season and it will pass.  It is a life change that is both hard for a woman but also brings new beginnings and new doors will