A 2014 study has examined the changes in perimenopause and discovered a relationship between oestrogen and MAO-A. It is a key regulator for healthy brain function and is heavily involved in mood, feelings and behaviour. MAO-A (monoamine oxidase A) is an enzyme that is involved in removing certain brain chemicals from action, including serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is a key factor.Īnother factor involved in the tears in menopause involves something called MAO-A. Thus, this can result in the tears and the reduced threshold to tears that I mentioned earlier. This lack of benefit can leave you vulnerable to erratic changes in mood and social behaviour (plus the rest). ĭuring menopause, and the decline of oestrogen that comes with it, you are left without the protective or regulating effect that oestrogen has over serotonin. Another team who examined the research on this link have also consistently found that oestrogen increases serotonin availability by altering markers and decreasing breakdown. After examining the literature, the team hypothesised that oestrogen plays a role in regulating the serotonergic system, providing a protective effect towards serotonin linked diseases. It is believed to regulate mood and social behaviour (hence the involvement in tears), as well as regulate appetite, digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function.Įarlier this year, a group of researchers examined the scientific literature surrounding the link between serotonin and oestrogen.
Serotonin is a chemical that sends signals between nerve cells. Too much oestrogen can have a negative effect too (anger and irritability), but unless you are crying because you feel guilty about the anger outburst, it is likely menopause tears are tears of oestrogen deficiency. Oestrogen deficiency is thought to be the instigator of tears, cognitive decline, depression and almost everything bad in menopause (or at least it feels that way). Hot flushes and night sweats are some of the most talked about menopause changes, but your moods and your brain function are also quite noticeable and concerning parts of that change. Without the hormones that your body has been used to working with, a few things start to change. When they retire, they are essentially shutting down the ‘oestrogen making factory’ and cancelling the production of progesterone (it’s not quite that extreme, but it’s almost that extreme). Menopause marks the time that your ovaries retire. Yes, I believe it can help to know that you are not alone, and to know that this too shall pass. Not only was this a out of character for her, but it concerned her. I once had a patient tell me she started to cry because she looked out the window and saw a bird land. Unfortunately, it’s normal in menopause and perimenopause.
It can mean that your threshold for sad ads, difficult situations and easy decisions is terrible, and you may find yourself crying so much more than what you are used to. Menopause (also perimenopause) can mean that you start crying for no known reason.
However, menopause makes things different (menopause makes everything different!). It’s not unusual to cry, and apparently, we cry a lot more than people assume – women cry an average of 3.5 times a month, and men cry on average 1.9 times a month. We all know crying is a natural response humans have to a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy and frustration (yes, only humans shed emotional tears). It’s a tough battle to embrace, but like I said earlier, it can be oh so very therapeutic. When you’re the one crying, especially in public, it can be a turmoil of emotions, unfortunately including weakness and embarrassment. It’s no longer viewed as a sign of weakness or embarrassment.
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