I'm Fat, I'm Ugly and I Hate You! Are you Cranky or Just Menopausal?

Is EVERYTHING getting on your nerves at the moment? Do you look in the mirror and just see a blob? Are you feeling like you just want to tear someone's head off every time they speak? You could just be cranky - or you could be menopausal! Or you can be both cranky AND menopausal. It can be tricky to tell the difference.

What Makes Women Cranky?

So very many things. Kids, partners, work, bills, neighbours, pets, that huge pimple we woke up with. Women have to juggle so many balls that we often lose ourselves.

Plus women go through so many hormonal changes during our lives, and these can make us very cranky indeed!

What Can You Do About Being Cranky

You cannot pour from an empty cup.

If you feel like you are always cranky, you need to find some time for yourself. That could be time to exercise, time to read a book, time to catch up with friends or time to spend time doing things that you enjoy.

Super busy women combine two of these at once - you can listen to an audiobook whilst walking around the block, or start a book club with friends. And making that time important.

I've Done All That And I'm STILL Cranky!

And if you are making time for yourself and you are still super cranky, then it's time to do some medical investigations. Get a general checkup from your Doctor, have your blood levels checked. If you are over the age of 45, that crankiness could be due to Perimenopause. Perimenopause is the lead up to menopause, and most women approach Perimenopause around the age of 45 - 49 years. Your body's estrogen levels start to drop, causing all sorts of symptoms such as:

• Reduced Sex Drive
• Dry Skin
• Tender Breasts
• Hot Flushes and Night Sweats
• Trouble concentrating
• Weight Gain (Particularly around the stomach area)
• Feeling tired
• Trouble sleeping
• Moodiness and irritability

I'm in Perimenopause and Still Cranky - What Now?

With a diagnosis, you have options. You can try and treat low estrogen levels with lifestyle adjustments or medication. For some women, perimenopausal symptoms are mild and can be addressed by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. But that doesn't cut it for everyone. The next step is to look at Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Hormone Replacement Therapy treats those symptoms by increasing a woman's estrogen levels. Of course, not all women are good candidates for hormone replacement therapy - if you have ever:

• Had a history of blood clots
• Have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer or melanoma
• Have had heart disease

Then HRT won't be suitable for you, however your Doctor can discuss alternative therapies.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Although Hormone Replacement Therapy isn't totally risk free, it is very effective in treating the symptoms of menopause, and is also very effective to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.

Many women feel that 'crankiness and irritability' just lift after a few weeks on HRT. They feel calmer, more in control, happier and more motivated.

Constant Crankiness ISN'T Normal

Remember, we aren't meant to be cranky all the time. So if you feel like you are angry, depressed or just 'out of sorts', make sure you book into your GP and get your bloods tested.

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