Am I pregnant? Early signs and symptoms | Pregnancy articles & support

If you’ve not done a test yet but you suspect you could be pregnant, here are the signs that could spill the beans.

When you think you could be pregnant, it’s natural to obsess over signs. Do you normally have that much discharge? Is that nausea really because of how much spag bol you devoured?

What are the early pregnancy signs and symptoms?

Here are the pregnancy signs that could give the game away:

1. Changes of appetite
2. Feeling of sickness, nausea and vomiting
3. Strange taste in your mouth
4. Constipation
5. Needing to wee more often
6. Headaches
7. Breast changes
8. Tiredness
9. Mood swings
10. Spotting
11. Cramps. (Healthline 2018)

This video looks at the early pregnancy symptoms and signs:

 

“The best way to confirm though is to pick up a pregnancy test”.

Changes of appetite

In the early stages of being pregnant, you may crave certain foods or go off others (Patient, 2017; NHS Choices, 2016).

The morning cuppa that you used to love might seem repulsive now, while you’re pining for Marmite despite previously being a hater (NHS Choices, 2016).

Things should settle back to normal in your second trimester. So as long as you’re getting a reasonable amount of nutrition, it won’t harm you to go with your new (and sometimes quirky) preferences (American Pregnancy Association, 2018).

Sickness, nausea and vomiting

If you’re sitting in meetings fighting the urge to vomit, you’re definitely not alone. About 50% to 80% of pregnant women will throw up or feel nauseous (Koren et al, 2002). That can start happening any time from two to eight weeks after you conceive your baby.

The most likely cause is fluctuating levels of pregnancy hormones (Fantasia, 2014).

Oh, and the term morning sickness is a bit misleading too. Nausea or vomiting can happen at any time during the day (American Pregnancy Association, 2018).

A small number of women might find themselves with a severe form of nausea and vomiting called hyperemis gravadarum (HG). HG can lead to pregnancy complications like dehydration, weight loss and electrolyte imbalance so you might need to be admitted to hospital (Fantasia, 2014; RCOG, 2016).

Strange taste in your mouth

Some women get a strange metallic taste in their mouth when they’re pregnant (NHS Choices, 2016; Patient, 2017), which can be an early sign.

Sensitivity to smells 

You might also notice that you’re more sensitive to the smell of food or cooking (NHS Choices, 2016; Healthline, 2018). This can make you a little queasy and might put you off some foods.

Constipation

In a lot of women, being pregnant can lead to constipation and bloating (Li et al, 2015). This could be because you’re producing a large amount of progesterone so your digestive system slows down (Li et al, 2015; Mayo Clinic, 2017). For more on how to prevent constipation in pregnancy, see here.

Going to the toilet a lot

When you’re pregnant, the urge to wee will come over you often, sometimes even leaking out before you get there.

This happens as your body pumps more blood than normal when you’re pregnant. That means the kidney processes more fluid than usual, leading to more fluid in your bladder (Healthline, 2018).

In the later stages of pregnancy, you’ll run to the loo even more often because of the increased pressure of your baby’s head (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Patient, 2017).

Headaches

One of your earliest pregnancy symptoms can be headaches, which might be down to rising hormone levels. It could also be because of increased blood flow (American Pregnancy Association, 2018).

Speak to your midwife if you’re suffering as in some cases, they can be a sign of something more worrying. Your midwife will also advise you on what you can and can’t use to treat your headaches when you’re pregnant (Negro et al, 2017).

Breast changes

Because of the changes in – you guessed it – hormone levels, changes in your boobs can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. You might find your breasts change between four and six weeks of pregnancy.

These changes can include:

• breasts getting bigger (see our article about bras for pregnancy if your old bras are getting too tight)
• breasts feeling tender
• breasts tingling
• veins becoming more visible
• areola (area around your breast) darkening. (NHS Choices, 2016; Healthline, 2018)

Tiredness

Anyone fancy a nap? Yep, tiredness and fatigue are some of the most common symptoms in early pregnancy. Try to make sure you get as much rest as you can.

Your sleepiness is caused by increased levels of progesterone (NHS Choices, 2016; Mayo Clinic, 2017; Patient 2017; Healthline, 2018). But if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, see our article about how to sleep better during pregnancy.

Mood swings

Changes in your hormone levels during pregnancy can make you feel irritable and moody (Patient, 2017; Healthline 2018). So yes, you do have an excuse. Because your oestrogen and progesterone levels are up, you might feel more emotional or feel depressed, anxious and even euphoric (Healthline, 2018).

Spotting

In early pregnancy, some women get a small amount of blood or spotting, known as implantation bleeding (Mayo Clinic, 2017; American Pregnancy Association, 2018).

Implantation happens when the fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the uterus 10 to 14 days after you conceived your baby. The spotting will probably last for less than three days (Healthline, 2018). For more information, see our articles on discharge during pregnancy and bleeding or spotting during pregnancy.

Cramps

You might get light stomach cramps or pain if you have implantation bleeding (Healthline, 2018). Some women get mild cramping in their uterus in early pregnancy too (Mayo Clinic, 2017).

This page was last reviewed in September 2018

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new child.

The HER Foundation provides information about hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

References

American Pregnancy Association. (2018) Pregnancy symptoms – early signs of pregnancy. Available from: http://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/early-pregnancy-symptoms/ [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Fantasia HC. (2014) A new pharmacologic treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Nursing for women’s health 18(1). Available from: https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24548499 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Healthline. (2018) Early pregnancy symptoms. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Hyperemis RCOG. (2016) The management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum. The Green Top Guideline No. 69. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23863612 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Koren G, Boskovic R, Hard M, Maltepe C, Navioz Y, Einarson A. Motherisk- PUQE (pregnancy-unique quantification or emesis and nausea) scoring system for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. (2002) American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186(5). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12011891 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Li Z, Pergolizzi JV, Huttner RP, Zampogna G, Breve F, Raffa RB. (2015) Management of opioid-induced constipation in pregnancy: a concise review with emphasis on the PAMORAs. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeautics. 40: 615-619. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26573866 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Mayo Clinic. (2017) Getting pregnant. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, Khan S, Ornello R, Raffaelli B, Terrin A, Reuter U, Mitsikostas DD. (2017) Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 18(1):106. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29052046 [Accessed 24th September 2018]

NHS Choices. (2016) Signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/signs-and-symptoms-pregnancy/#strange-tastes-smells-and-cravings [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Patient. (2017) Early pregnancy signs and symptoms. Available from: https://patient.info/health/early-pregnancy-signs-and-symptoms [Accessed 24th September 2018]

Further reading

Gartland D, Brown S, Donath S, Perlen S. (2010) Women’s health in early pregnancy: Findings from an Australian nulliparous cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 50 (5).  Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21039372  [Accessed 24th September 2018]

How long does it take to know I’m pregnant? | Pregnancy articles & support

You’re desperate to know but not sure how early you can take a test, or exactly how the ‘weeks’ are calculated. Here’s the info…

How soon you can take a pregnancy test

Step back from the supermarket shelves; you should wait until the first day of a missed period before you do a pregnancy test (Tommy’s, 2017). This is usually about two weeks after you think you conceived. So get your diary out and start counting.

Too keen to wait? Some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken earlier (American Pregnancy Association, 2018). This might be four or five days before your period is due (NHS Choices, 2018).

If you can though, it’s most reliable to wait for the first day of your missed period. And that way you won’t get any upset from an inaccurate result.

Is a home pregnancy test reliable?

Yep, they’re around 97% accurate when done correctly but sometimes you might get a false positive result. The results can be wrong if a test is done too early. If you get a negative but still have pregnancy symptoms, take another test a week later (American Pregnancy Association, 2018).

Is it better to go to my doctor for a pregnancy test?

You can do a pregnancy test at your GP or chemist but it’s much more common now to buy a home test. This means you’ll get the news in your own bathroom.

The test can be done in two ways. Either dipping the end of the pregnancy test in the stream as you wee or into the wee collected in a container.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) (Tommy’s, 2017) which is an early sign of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, HCG will appear in your blood and wee as early as 10 days after conception (Medline Plus, 2018).

How will I know when I conceived?

If you get a positive test result on the first day of your missed period, it’s probably about two weeks since you conceived. Some pregnancy tests can also give an estimation of when you might have conceived based on the level of HCG too (NHS Choices, 2018).

Can I be pregnant but still have a period?

You definitely could think you’ve had a period. It’s common to experience light bleeding or spotting in the early weeks of pregnancy when the egg implants. But there are likely to be differences in texture, colour or amount of blood (Healthline, 2017).

I am trying to get pregnant, is there anything I could do or should be doing while trying?

You should take folic acid supplements (400 micrograms daily) while you’re trying to get pregnant. Although you might be eating foods with it in, it’s still recommended to take the supplements in order to reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect like spina bifida (NICE, 2014).

I’m shattered – could this be an early symptom of pregnancy?

Yep, feeling tired and fatigue are common early signs of pregnancy. If you’re noticeably more exhausted than usual, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Healthline, 2018).

What about feeling sick in the early stages of pregnancy?

Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of pregnancy (Koren et al, 2002). Although you might have heard friends refer to morning sickness, it can occur at any time during the day or night too. Don’t worry though: for most women, sickness becomes a lot less severe in the second trimester (Healthline, 2018).

My senses of taste and smell are all over the place, could this be an early pregnancy symptom too?

Yep, this is another one. Some women get a strange metallic taste in their mouth during early pregnancy (Patient, 2017). You might be more sensitive to smell, particularly of cooking or certain food or go off certain foods you used to love (Healthline, 2018).

What about tender breasts? I feel as if my breasts are more sensitive.

And this one… In early pregnancy, hormonal changes can make your boobs feel sensitive, sore and swollen. This symptom will usually go away after a few weeks of pregnancy though (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Healthline, 2018).

I have to go to the toilet more often – is that a sign?

Oh yes, dashing to the loo more than often can be early sign that you’re pregnant. During pregnancy your body increases the amount of blood it pumps around the body. That means the kidneys process more fluid than usual which leads to more fluid in your bladder (Healthline, 2018). For more information on early pregnancy signs and symptoms.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

The HER Foundation provides information about hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

Mood swings

Menopause

Climax

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25-th of August

Mood is usually called a stable emotional state of a person, which determines his perception of reality.

A stable positive attitude is the basis for health, and frequent mood swings disrupt not only the mental, but also the physiological activity of a person.

Human emotions are diverse, and their occurrence is regulated by several hormones:

• serotonin, or the hormone of pleasure, is responsible for a good mood, increases optimism and revives hope;
• dopamine, or the hormone of motivation and joy, contributes to the feeling of pleasure;
• adrenaline, a stress hormone, causes rage, anger, tension and fear;
• endorphins – hormones of joy and euphoria;
• Phenylethylamine is responsible for falling in love and romantic experiences;
• for confidence in victory – testosterone;
• Oxytocin, the hormone of trust and tenderness, which plays an important role during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, causes tender attachment to relatives in the human heart.

The production and metabolism of hormones entail a chain of complex sequential reactions that enable a person to make certain decisions. A number of hormones have a serious impact on the functioning of the brain.

Any failure in the “hormone-brain” circuit can lead to uncontrolled mood swings and cause unmotivated behavior.

Possible causes

Sudden and unreasonable mood swings can be caused by physiological and pathological factors.

Physiological reasons. If we consider hormonal fluctuations as the causes of mood swings, then a person is exposed to them throughout life: during growth, maturation, in the reproductive and post-reproductive periods. These are physiological cycles of development, and the body independently copes with hormonal changes.

The first period of powerful hormonal adjustment becomes adolescence . At this moment, the production of sex hormones increases sharply, which can cause unjustified aggression in boys, a desire to lead and prove the right to their own opinion. In girls, the production of estrogens, which affect mood swings, occurs cyclically and may be associated with the irregularity of menstruation during puberty. Psychological factors affecting the mood of adolescents are associated with difficulties in adequately perceiving one’s body: a changed figure can cause irritation, despondency, and shame. This reaction is typical for girls. A change in testosterone levels in adolescents of both sexes contributes to the development of an unmotivated sense of protest, increased demands on others, emotional overexcitation, and reduced criticism of one’s own actions.

It is very important during this period not to miss the signs of latent depression, which is difficult to diagnose because of the variety of its forms and symptoms.

When diagnosing depressive conditions, somatic symptoms come to the fore, that is, complaints about a state of health disorder, problems in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, as well as a sharp change in mood. Sometimes mood swings get out of control and cause an emotional overreaction.

After the establishment of a regular menstrual cycle, monthly fluctuations in hormonal levels can cause premenstrual syndrome , which is manifested by a deterioration in well-being and a sharp change in mood.

A pronounced premenstrual syndrome negatively affects the daily activity of a woman, causes physical and emotional problems, and reduces the quality of life.

The main manifestations of premenstrual syndrome include fluid retention in the body and swelling due to increased levels of prolactin, mood swings, irritability, tearfulness, and fatigue due to impaired serotonin metabolism. Increased production of prostaglandins leads to headache, swelling and swelling of the mammary glands.

During pregnancy , especially in the first trimester, a woman’s mood and health are directly dependent on hormonal balance. During this period, the main complaints are irritability, resentment, and sudden mood swings. After the fourth month of pregnancy, the woman’s emotional background stabilizes.

Big troubles are brought by postpartum depression , which can be accompanied not only by a depressed emotional state, but also by suicidal attacks.

If mood swings disturbed a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy, the likelihood of postpartum depression increases significantly.

Menopausal syndrome is another emotional period in a woman’s life when mood can be determined by changes in hormonal levels. Vegetovascular manifestations (hot flashes, sweating, blood pressure surges) may be associated with endocrine diseases (metabolic syndrome, thyroid disease) and emotional and mental disorders (mood swings, tearfulness, irritability, fatigue).

In men, age-related hormonal changes can also be accompanied by emotional instability: they become more irritable and aggressive. Mood swings in men tend to be less pronounced.

Pathological causes . A hormonal imbalance that causes sudden mood swings can occur with thyroid diseases, most often with thyrotoxicosis. In this case, an excess of the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3) leads to malfunctions in the body. Diseases that cause increased production of thyroid hormones include diffuse toxic goiter, multinodular toxic goiter, etc. The instability of the emotional background in thyroid pathologies is accompanied by symptoms of cardiovascular diseases (arrhythmias, increased blood pressure), pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (muscle atrophy , osteoporosis), impaired functioning of the nervous system.

Along with increased excitability and anxiety, patients with hyperthyroidism complain of emotional instability, rapid mood swings, irritability and tearfulness.

Sleep disorders can be both a cause and a consequence of a sudden change in mood and psychological instability.

Mental disorders are often accompanied by emotional instability. A striking example is bipolar affective disorder .

Bipolar disorder is characterized by a sudden change in mood, from intense arousal to depression.

The causes of this disease are not fully understood, but experts prefer the genetic theory. With age, the mental disorder worsens, the duration of periods of depression increases.

Unmotivated mood swings can be observed in persons suffering from psychopathy (most often hysterical), and in people with borderline personality disorder . In these cases, a sharp change in mood is accompanied by other signs of altered behavior (theatricality, a tendency to lie, exaggeration).

Drug dependence on hormones and psychoactive substances taken is another cause of severe mood swings.

With the regular use of alcohol and drugs, the joy and excitement after their use is suddenly replaced by depression or anger.

An unmotivated change in mood can be observed with hormonal therapy for oncological diseases and .

Which doctors to contact

Mood swings due to physiological causes do not require medical intervention. If depression persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should first consult with
the therapist who will determine the plan for the diagnostic search.

If the cause of emotional instability is associated with hormonal changes in the female body, consultation is recommended
gynecologist-endocrinologist, and if a man experiences these symptoms –
urologist-andrologist. If thyroid disease is suspected, visit
endocrinologist. If the patient’s hormonal background is not disturbed, consultation is necessary
neurologist or psychoneurologist.

Diagnosis and examination

Finding the cause of extreme mood swings is quite difficult. With the cyclical repetition of episodes of emotional instability and their coincidence with the onset of menstruation or menopause, the diagnosis can be made on the basis of the results of tests for sex hormones: estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Mullerian hormone.

Estradiol (E2, Estradiol)

Synonyms: Blood test for estradiol. 17-beta-estradiol.
Brief description of the analyte Estradiol
Estradiol is a steroid hormone with maximum estrogen…

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715 RUB

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Progesterone

Synonyms: Progestin; Gestagen. P4; Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione.

Brief description of the analyte Progesterone

Progesterone is produced in the ovaries and in a small…

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705 RUB

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Luteinizing Hormone (LH, Luteinizing Hormone, LH)

Synonyms: Glycoprotein gonadotropic hormone; luteotropin; Lutropin. luteinizing hormone; LH; Lutropin; Interstitial cell stimulating hormone; ICSH.

Brief characteristic determined …

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715 RUB

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Synonyms: Blood test for FSH; Follitropin. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; follitropin; FSH.

Brief description of the analyte Follicle-stimulating hormone

…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

715 RUB

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Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH, Mullerian Inhibiting Substance, MIS)

Synonyms: Blood test for AMH; Müller inhibitor.

Anti-Müllerian hormone; AMH; Müllerian inhibiting factor; MIF; Müllerian-inhibiting hormone; M.I.H.; Müllerian-inhibiting substance; MIS.

Short…

Up to 2 working days

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RUB 1,670

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With the appearance of emotional instability, which is accompanied by arrhythmia, trembling fingers, sweating, tests for thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH) and antibodies to thyroglobulin (AT-TG) are necessary.

Free triiodothyronine (Free T3, Free Triiodthyronine, FT3)

Synonyms: Free triiodothyronine.
Free T3.
Brief description of the test substance Triiodothyronine free
Free triiodothyronine (T3free) belongs to the thyroid …

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 685

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Free thyroxine (Free T4, Free Thyroxine, FT4)

Free thyroxin not bound to blood plasma transport proteins.
Synonyms: Blood test for free thyroxine. Free T4; Free Form of Thyroxin.
Short description …

Up to 1 business day

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665 RUB

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Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

A pituitary hormone that regulates thyroid function. One of the most important tests in the laboratory diagnosis of thyroid diseases.

Synonym…

Up to 1 business day

Available with house call

620 RUB

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Thyroglobulin Antibodies (AT-TG, Anti-Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies)

Synonyms: Blood test for AT-TG; Antibodies to TG; ATTG; AntiTG; Anti-TG. Tg Autoantibody; TgAb; Anti-Tg Ab; ATG.

Brief description of the study “Antibodies to thyroglobulin&ra…

Up to 1 business day

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790 RUB

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Diagnosis of mental disorders is complex and is based not so much on laboratory tests as on behavioral characteristics and symptoms of the disease. If you suspect the abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances, you can ask the patient to take a urine test for toxic substances – a set of studies “Bad Habits”.

When pregnancy occurs, a study of chorionic gonadotropin, a specific hormone of pregnancy, is recommended; Ultrasound study.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, beta-hCG, b-hCG, Human Chorionic)

Synonyms: Beta-hCG general.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; hCG; Pregnancy Quantitative hCG; Beta hCG; Total beta hCG.

Brief description of the analyte Human Chorionic Gonadotropin…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 685

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Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy

Examination to confirm pregnancy and determine the place of attachment of the ovum (to exclude ectopic pregnancy).

RUB 2,390

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Treatment

You can cope with mood swings only after finding out their causes, consulting with specialists and treating the underlying disease.

What to do

Mood swings observed in adolescents require daily attention and patience from relatives. If a feeling of depression, sleep disturbance, tearfulness are combined with somatic ailments (headache, pain in the abdomen, muscles) and a desire to isolate oneself from the outside world, one should definitely consult a child with a psychoneurologist.

To improve your mood, you should lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

You need a proper diet, regular exercise and proper sleep. Attention to your mood is a simple rule of caring for your own health.

Sources:

1. A.V. Vasilieva, T.B. Morgunova, Yu.P. Thyrotoxicosis after childbirth: difficulties in differential diagnosis. Medical business. 2020;1:97-100. DOI: 10.24411/2071-5315-2020-12200
2. Menopausal hormone therapy and maintaining the health of women of mature age. Clinical guidelines (Protocols). Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 2014.
3. Clinical guidelines “Depressive episode, recurrent depressive disorder”. Developed by: Russian Society of Psychiatrists. – 2021.
4. Tokareva D.V., Dikareva E.S., Zakirova I.I. Psychiatric disorders developing against the background of neurosurgical diseases. Bulletin of Medical Internet Conferences (ISSN 2224-6150). 2019;9(5).

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

reasons and what to do when treatment is needed

Men make up stories and tell each other jokes about women’s mood swings. But in some cases, these are not just whims – everything can be much more serious. Frequent outbursts of anger or emotional swings can be symptoms of illness. Let’s try to understand the issue from a medical point of view.

Tags:

Alina Titova

Women Health

emotions

How to cheer up

It is not uncommon to hear and read complaints from friends or people you barely know online. Like, a lot of money and time was spent on communicating with psychologists, but in vain. It was not possible to get rid of depression, just as irritability and anxiety did not disappear.

Sudden mood swings “strain” not only the woman herself, but also the people around her. In fact, sometimes emotions are literally caused by illness. In this case, it is important to contact a therapist, surgeon or endocrinologist in a timely manner.

What causes mood swings

Any emotion, including frequent mood swings, is the result of neurophysiological processes in the brain. But we must remember that experience changes the level of brain activity, controls the endocrine, circulatory and respiratory systems. That is, it is impossible to say unequivocally whether sensory reactions cause physiological changes in the body or are themselves the result of these changes.

Neurologist Sef Kabirsky explains: “Emotions trigger a response in the brain through complex hormonal response pathways. And accordingly, our body reacts physically. For example, fear makes the heart beat faster. Few people have thought about this, but there is also an inverse relationship that affects strong mood swings. Simply put, an increased heartbeat is quite capable of causing a feeling of fear.

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Thus, a logical conclusion suggests itself. If physiological changes occur (failure in the hormonal system, problems with metabolism), then they can also cause disturbances in the emotional sphere, become a reason for mood swings in girls and the appearance of unpleasant emotions. But how often do we build such a chain of thought? With constant obsessive thoughts and feelings, at best, we turn to a psychologist. At worst, we start drinking self-prescribed sedatives.

Physiological causes of mood swings

It is difficult to imagine a person who will be disturbed by a constant feeling of joy or happiness. We are more likely to pay attention to manifestations of anger, irritation, sadness, attacks of fear and constant mood swings. The experience of these emotions is quite unpleasant, because they are usually characterized as negative. And even more frightening is the fact that they appeared as if from scratch, without objective reasons.

Thyroid

Mood swings are most often attributed to thyroid dysfunction. “Hormones have a significant effect on metabolism. Due to the increased production of hormones, all reactions in the body become more intense. As a consequence, the person becomes irritable,” explains Sef Kabirsky.

The troubles of life, which you would not have paid attention to before, are now annoying. And more serious problems can cause tears and even tantrums. In some cases, mood swings lead to aggression and even rage. And vice versa: if the intensity of hormone production decreases, the metabolism slows down. Then the person begins to respond to external stimuli with a delay, becomes lethargic, dull, sad, apathetic. In other words, he begins to believe that he has depression.

What to do

The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect all cells and tissues of the body. As studies show, if a failure in her work is expressed only by a sharp change in mood, this is not the worst thing. An endocrinologist will tell you what to do if you are haunted by mood swings, sweating, insomnia, thirst, weight jumps, and so on. You will have to donate blood for hormones and undergo a course of treatment.

Liver and gallbladder

Diseases of the liver and gallbladder also cause mood swings in women. “A spasm of the biliary tract in the liver leads to an increase in the production of norepinephrine, the “hormone of anger,” explains the neurologist. Note that these changes in behavior are usually short-lived. A person quickly starts up, but just as quickly cools down after another outbreak.

What to do

Any disease of the internal organs deserves a trip to the specialists. Based on the results of general tests, ultrasound and other diagnostic methods, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Menopause

A new stage in a woman’s life can pass quickly and painlessly, or maybe with physical and psychological problems. Many wonder why mood swings are observed during this period. But research explains everything. This is due to hormonal changes that lead to fluctuations in estrogen levels. As a result, during the day the woman manages to cry and laugh. The production of serotonin drops, and it is precisely responsible for good health. Add to this symptoms such as sweating, frequent need to go to the toilet, and the approach of advanced age will cause complete disappointment.

What to do

You can start taking non-hormonal herbal preparations on the advice of a gynecologist in a timely manner. Like a massage, do yoga, take pine baths. In some cases, antidepressants can help, which should also be recommended by a doctor.

Pregnancy

The hormonal upheaval that occurs in a woman’s body will explain the mood swings during pregnancy. Emotional imbalance provokes many questions related to the birth of a child and a huge responsibility. The tendency to dramatization is due not only to the fact that life is divided into “before” and “after” the appearance of the baby. But the body of the expectant mother is also changing, hormones are being rearranged, she feels vulnerable.

Sometimes doctors associate such an exciting period with puberty. Approximately the same mood swings can be observed in adolescents. It is like a transition from childhood to adulthood, when the body changes in leaps and bounds, it is not possible to become an adult and formed overnight. And all this clumsiness drives yesterday’s children crazy.

What to do

Future fathers, of course, need to be patient and try to be more attentive to their soul mate than ever. It is important for women to share their fears and doubts in order to feel supported. Sometimes a rational male look is enough to gain confidence.

Mood swings due to psychiatric disorders

It is important to distinguish where the boundary of normal mood changes is. If there was a serious trouble at work or a painful separation from a loved one, sadness is natural. Still, the balance is gradually restored, and you begin to enjoy life. Mental disorders lead to mood swings of a different kind. When for a long time (over two weeks) there is no desire and strength to do something, this is already an occasion to think about the problem that has arisen.

Depression

Refers to affective disorders – mental illness, manifested in pathological mood swings in men and women. Emotions no longer perform the function of evaluating reality. For example, a person in line at a supermarket just looked at you, and it already seems to you that he knows you and is plotting evil. Genetics plays a big role in the occurrence of the disease, as well as social conditions and triggers.

Inadequate reactions to surrounding people and circumstances make life unbearable and make it impossible to work normally. So, an uncontrolled feeling of fear can provoke problems with the cardiovascular system. Increased blood pressure, heart palpitations cause the production of adrenaline, the hormone responsible for fear. You feel it. Mood swings associated with depression should be treated with the help of a doctor.

Dysthymia

The disease is similar to depression, only it is less severe and more protracted. It is expressed in mood swings in an adult, which lasts at least two years, and in a child and adolescent for at least a year. This is not about jumps from a cheerful mood to a sad one, but from a bad mood to a disgusting one. In these cases, those suffering from this disorder perceive their condition as part of their character, because the diagnosis is not established immediately. Depression becomes chronic, life just isn’t nice.

Bipolar disorder

Severe psychosis, often accompanied by delusions and hallucinations, already makes a person a danger to himself and to society. Once a person has such mood swings, it is already called bipolar disorder. He is no longer just dissatisfied, but ceases to control his actions. He develops suicidal tendencies and mania.

What to do

Mode and psychological comfort are important in the life of any person. And if someone is characterized by mood swings, bipolar disorder has already been encountered in the family, you need to especially carefully approach these moments. Scientists have proven that, first of all, it is necessary to avoid stress, sleep well, distribute rest and load. It is better to stop using alcohol and psychoactive substances. Just don’t self-medicate! It is advisable to consult with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Separate mood swings and whims

In order not to treat a liver or endocrine system disease with the help of psychoanalysis, but depression with a surgical intervention, it is worth figuring out what’s what.

Psychiatrist, candidate of medical sciences Vlada Titova explains why psychologists cannot be reproached for negligence and unprofessionalism: “A psychologist cannot recognize the symptoms of endocrine or other disorders, focusing only on mood swings, simply because this is not within his competence. Just like endocrinologists are not taught to treat caries, and gynecologists are not taught to save clients from depression. Moreover, without the consent of a doctor, a psychologist does not have the right to make a diagnosis of a mental disorder. After all, he is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.”

It often happens that even an experienced psychotherapist or psychiatrist does not immediately recognize the symptoms of diseases associated with sudden mood swings. Because they successfully disguise themselves as emotional or even mental disorders. Of course, there are other signs by which the disease is diagnosed. But often they fade into the background, becoming invisible to the person himself. In the initial stages of diseases, there may simply be no other symptoms other than emotions.

It is clear that remembering all the signs of physiological diseases that can cause changes in the psychological state is simply impossible. And if, with every mood swing, you look for similar ones in a medical encyclopedia, it’s not far from hypochondria. You need to assess the state of your body as a whole, without separating psychology and physiology.

Recall when you first noticed any emotional changes in your behavior and why mood swings may have occurred. Now think: how has your body changed during this time? Even minor signs, such as dry skin (not typical of you before and not associated with the cold season), can be the key to unraveling what is really happening to you and how to treat it.

It is important to remember that psychological problems arise due to some external circumstances. Yes, these circumstances may be implicit, or a person suppresses memories of them in himself, but most often he at least guesses about their existence. For bodily illnesses, it is not so important whether the guy left you, whether there are problems at work. Therefore, if you clearly feel changes in your emotional state, but at the same time you do not see any reasons for mood swings, you should first consult an experienced doctor.