By Christina Hanna, MPH, CHES • Published 6/6/2023
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tara Scott, MD
Have you been feeling a roller coaster of emotions lately? Do you find yourself getting angry, happy, and then depressed without much notice? If so, you might be part of the 33% of people going through menopause that experience sudden changes in mood (mood swings). Changes in mood is one of the first symptoms that someone may start experiencing during perimenopause.
Sometimes we know what event or experience may have shifted our moods. Other times, it feels like they come out of nowhere. We all have shifts in mood from time to time, but if it’s happening frequently or disrupting your daily life, it may be time to talk to a healthcare professional about it.
Neurotransmitters are the body’s chemical messengers that carry signals from one nerve cell to another nerve, muscle, or gland cell. Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitter that’s thought to help naturally regulate mood, happiness, and anxiety. And estrogen has an effect on how much serotonin is “sent” throughout the nervous system.
As the levels of estrogen fluctuate during perimenopause and menopause, the levels of serotonin can also change. This can cause changes in mood (mood swings) that can feel erratic and like they’re coming out of nowhere.
In addition to estrogen, fluctuating progesterone levels during menopause can disrupt serotonin production, leading to more changes in mood.
The close connection between estrogen and serotonin can help us understand why the terms “hormonal” and “mood swings” are so closely tied together and why certain times (menstrual cycles, puberty, pregnancy, menopause) are associated with those changes in mood.
In addition, fluctuating levels of progesterone can also contribute to mood swings. After your late 30’s, progesterone levels decline as you age. Progesterone breaks down to allopregnenelone, which is a natural anti-depressant. So, less progesterone can sometimes mean more anxiety, especially prior to your menstrual cycle.
So, during menopause, as levels of estrogen change, how happy, anxious, or sad we feel will also change.
The years that we’re going through perimenopause and menopause can also bring challenges that make managing emotional problems more difficult. There’s a lot going on during this phase of life — extra stress, work or relationship challenges, caregiving for children or older family members, multiple other forms of change — that can make managing menopausal mood swings feel more difficult.
In addition, some of the following can make mood swings worse or make it more difficult to cope with them:
If you’re struggling with any of these, reach out to a medical professional for help.
There’s no magic pill for helping prevent or manage changes in your mood. But general healthy behaviors can also help your mood:
Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
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