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Friday, November 15, 2002
Oh my hormones!
By Tina T. Lorenzana
I'M BACK after a two week sabbatical. Or was it three? Never mind. What's important is I'm writing again and chasing deadlines for my once-a-week column, racking my brain for topics to write about.
I can just imagine what daily columnists go through. These guys probably love to write a lot. But hey, don't mind me. I'm happy with this once-a-week thing.
Truthfully, there are times that I don't feel like writing at all. But when people tell me that they read my column, I get momentarily inspired, and guilty.
So here I am attacking my computer at two in the morning. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Or it may just be the hormones acting up.
I once saw a documentary that featured women who suffered from raging hormones. The effects ranged from severe headaches to violent physical self-abuse to suicidal tendencies. All because of this thing called hormones. But how come men don't have these mood swings when they too have hormones?
That's because we women have more estrogen and progesterone than men. In an article in Shape Magazine, Deborah Sichel, M.D. a psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders, said that estrogen is the "upper" or mood stabilizer, while progesterone is more of a "downer."
These hormones interact with brain chemicals such as serotonin to create emotional balance.
But there are times when this interaction malfunctions because hormonal changes occur -- like before one's period and during and after pregnancy.
About 85% of women experience symptoms of PMS or premenstrual syndrome a week or so before the menstrual period. Symptoms include mood swings - one minute you're crying like a baby, the next minute you're mad at everyone.
During a woman's cycle, the estrogen and progesterone levels alternately increase and decrease. Although PMS usually lasts two to five days, there are some who unfortunately have it for 21 days out of a woman's 28-day cycle! Now I know why a friend of mine can suddenly start to cry in the middle of a sentence.
While a woman is pregnant, estrogen and progesterone levels are dramatically high. After giving birth, levels suddenly drop. This causes the new mother to have baby blues characterized by crying, anxiety and irritability. Feelings of guilt and helplessness may also surface.
I remember when I gave birth to my son, I felt depressed during the first few months. I wanted to get out of the house and yet I felt guilty leaving him in the care of my mother-in-law. It was a confusing time.
According to mental health experts, these depressing feelings, if left unchecked could lead to psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, even violence. In fact, an old friend of mine who gave birth in another country almost suffocated her baby to death.
Since she didn't have any other kin to help her take care of her baby, which was her first, she felt so helpless and alone. Every time her baby cried, the more she suffered from insecurity and self-pity. She already had a pillow in her hand and was about to press it on her baby's face when her husband arrived. Until now she could not believe that she was capable of doing what she was about to do then.
Mental health experts say that the best defense against negative mood changes is to be aware that they occur. You need to determine if you are sensitive to the fluctuating levels of the hormones in your body by keeping track of your moods.
Talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to seek treatment. Hormonal changes are normal and problems caused by this are treatable.
Another way to keep your hormones in balance is by exercising regularly. Engaging in physical activities can help the body produce mood-boosters.
Research also now shows that exercise can reduce and prevent depression and improve PMS symptoms. And, of course, don't forget to eat the right amount and kind of food. Food is also fuel for the brain and not just for the body. (Tina Lorenzana is a fitness instructor and manager of Fitness Advantage. If you have any questions about fitness and health, you can email her at fitness_advantage_davao@yahoo.com or fax at 222-4207.) |
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