One of the stereotypes of women in menopause is that they tend to have episodes of crying and being very emotional. While it’s true that some women may experience these perimenopause emotional crying some of the time, they certainly don’t happen to every woman and can vary greatly in how they manifest.  

What does it mean to be crying and feel emotional?

Experiencing strong emotional feelings that include crying are a part of mood swings. These can occur for a number of reasons and affect each individual in different ways. For example:

• Crying spells are situations in which people cry at just about anything and at any time, or there may be specific things or incidents that trigger the crying.
• Do you find yourself crying at TV shows, commercials, or movies or when you see certain videos or read the news or stories, but such things didn’t bother you before? Episodes of weepiness may occur when you suddenly feel upset and sad and you can’t explain why.
• Uncontrollable crying are events when you cry uncontrollably and feel overwhelmed by despair, loss, and sadness. Such spells typically occur without warning, last a few minutes, and then end as if nothing had happened. Depending on where you are when it occurs, it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.

All of these situations can occur anytime during a woman’s life, but during perimenopause and menopause emotional crying can happen more frequently and/or with more intensity.

Read about menopause and moodiness and mood swings

How is crying and feeling emotional associated with menopause?

The North American Menopause Society notes that approximately 23 percent of women experience mood swings in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause. Emotional symptoms associated with menopause, including crying and experiencing feelings very deeply, are linked to hormonal changes.

Declining levels of estrogen, a hormone that helps keep mood elevated, is a major player in causing crying. Other symptoms of menopause can also contribute to this challenge, including lack of sufficient sleep/insomnia, as healthy levels of estrogen support good sleep. Stress is another common menopausal symptom, and the ability to maintain emotional stability when under stress is jeopardized. 

How to manage crying and feeling emotional naturally

Lifestyle and dietary changes can go a long way toward alleviating crying and being emotional in perimenopause and menopause. Here are a few tips:

• Talk: Stay connected with friends, family, and others with whom you can talk about things that bother you and your feelings. While simply talking can be very therapeutic, you can also get some ideas on how to better cope with your feelings. While you are at it, be sure to give and receive lots of hugs!
• Release your creativity: Do you enjoy singing, painting, sewing, building things, playing an instrument, or do you want to learn something new? Engaging in activities you enjoy and that allow you to feel good about yourself can help channel your emotions.
• Practice relaxing techniques: Tai chi, yoga, meditation, visualization, progressive relaxation, and deep breathing are a just a few of the calming ventures you can enjoy daily to help balance your mood.
• Focus on nutrition: Choose whole, natural foods, healthy fats (omega-3s, monounsaturated), and organic selections when possible, and avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Eating regular meals and keeping your blood sugar levels steady can help maintain balanced emotions. Supplementing with Morphus Omega-3T ensures your getting enough essential fatty acids.
• Stay in motion: Exercise raises levels of feel-good hormones (endorphins). Be sure to choose activities that you enjoy, otherwise you are likely to stop doing them. Dancing, tennis, jogging, swimming, walking with friends, Zumba, and other forms of movement can be helpful. Even taking several 10-minute exercise breaks a day can be beneficial.
• Sleep: Yes, sleep can be elusive in menopause, but getting sufficient shut eye is critical. Find natural ways to work on adequate sleep. Our Morphus Sleepus supplement has special ingredients that work together to help you get your best sleep ever.
• Consider nutritional and herbal remedies: Several supplements can help with weepiness and mood. St. John’s wort (hypericum) can help with depression and anxiety, but it takes three to four weeks before you’ll see results. For faster results, try rhodiola, or ashwagandha. In the nutrient department, be sure to get plenty of magnesium and B vitamins, as all of them can help with mood. 

When to call your doctor

If your crying episodes and emotional feelings are overwhelming and interfering with your daily activities, it’s time to talk to your health professional. Also call your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of depression that won’t go away.

Bottom line

Menopause is marked by a wide spectrum of emotional changes. Crying and weeping in perimenopause and menopause for no apparent reason, suddenly, or frequently is a symptom and typically goes away over time. However, you can experience relief by adopting some natural treatment tools.