Are Her Mood Swings from Hormonal Imbalance?

My sweet wife is in her 5th week of recovery. The other evening, she became upset over something very small. I walked away so as not to upset her more, but I am wondering what if this is normal. Do women with hormonal imbalance issues become upset easily?

A hysterectomy can affect a woman in so many ways including physically, mentally, and emotionally. Besides the stress and trauma of surgery, change in sleeping and eating habits during recovery, and the medications involved, hormones can also play a part in a woman’s health following her hysterectomy. Combined, all of these variables can leave your wife with emotions that are fragile and volatile.

While time can resolve many of the issues, the hormonal implications can be longer lasting. Even if a woman keeps her ovaries, the blood supply to them can be disrupted with the removal of the uterus. Consequently, the ovaries may not function as well as they should until a new blood supply is established. For some women this may take only a few weeks, but for others it may take a few months. Sadly, depending on the study you read, 2%-40% of women may suffer premature ovarian failure.

Until the ovaries are functioning properly, a woman may experience mood swings as a result of hormonal imbalance. She may be more emotional, experience depression, and suffer from anxiety concerns. If these emotional issues last long term, a woman may need to consider some type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

For women who have had their ovaries removed, it can take time, patients, and trial and error to find the right HRT that will allow her to feel like herself again. In the meantime, your wife may deal with mood swings and other health issues as her body tries to cope and adjust.

You have already taken the first step in helping your wife by asking questions. Right now, more than ever, your wife needs your support, patients, and reassurance that she is loved and cherished. She is no more happy with how she feels than you and those around her. Try to keep in mind that she is not herself and deep in her heart she is not meaning to hurt those around her. She is confused and surprised from her moods, too.

Here are several ways you can show you love and support your wife during this time:

• Give her a soothing back or foot rub.
  
• Compliment her and let her know you love her.
  
• Make her dinner or surprise her with a night out.
  
• Once she is released by her doctor, run her a relaxing bubble bath.
  
• Go for walks with her.
  
• Buy her a good book to read.
  
• Encourage her to go to lunch with a close friend.
  
• Avoid hot topic discussions.
  
• Don’t reply negatively or add fuel to the fire when disagreements occur.