This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for mood swings during and after menopause. Menopause takes place, technically, after a person has not had a period for 12 months. After this, they are considered postmenopausal, and many people see differences in their emotional symptoms.

From start to finish, the process can take years. During this process, a person is perimenopausal. NAMS is a nonprofit advocacy group, so it is important to note that there may be potential biases in reporting;.

For some people, especially those taking hormones or having had their uterus removed, mood swings are their first indication that they are beginning to transition into menopause. Learn 10 essential facts about menopause. During the transition to menopause, levels of the hormone estrogen drop, causing wide-ranging changes throughout the body.

Many of these changes have direct connections to menopausal mood swings. For example, the drop in estrogen may affect how the body manages serotonin and norepinephrine, two substances that may have links to depression.

However, research into this connection is inconclusive. Lower levels of estrogen have links to irritability, fatigue , stress, forgetfulness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.

The impact of these changing hormone levels may not only have a direct cause-and-effect relationship with depression, anger, and anxiety. Hormone shifts may also intensify these feelings. Also, researchers have found higher levels of a brain protein known as monoamine oxidase A MAO-A in people entering perimenopause.

This protein has links to depressive symptoms. Sometimes, reactions build on each other, such as with night sweats.

These are hot flashes that take place when someone is asleep. Night sweats can be so intense that a person wakes in the night. Several nights of disrupted sleep can result in foggy thinking, irritability, and other characteristics associated with menopausal mood swings. Two of the most important risk factors for difficult menopausal mood swings are a history of severe premenstrual syndrome PMS and prior episodes of depression or other significant mental health problems.

People may also have a greater risk of emotional problems during menopause if they have any of the following situations:. Sleep disruptions can contribute to mood swings, interfering with day-to-day functioning.

Unfortunately, these choices make it more difficult to face and work through their concerns. It may also add substance misuse to the issues they need to address. Emotional problems may not be as easy to see as other conditions, but they are no less painful, limiting, and potentially devastating.

Hormone replacement therapy HRT can help treat several menopausal symptoms, including:. However, HRT can carry a small risk of breast and ovarian cancer, stroke, and gallbladder disease.

As a result, the Food and Drug Administration FDA advises that people wishing to partake in HRT use the lowest available dose for the shortest possible time. Many people find that interpersonal therapy and counseling help them deal with the mental health symptoms of menopause.

For example, studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy CBT may help to treat:. Experts have found that exercise, diet, getting enough sleep, and pursuing supportive friendships can all help people with the emotional aspects of the transition into menopause.

Regular exercise is a great way to promote both mental and physical health. Being active helps relieve stress, improves mood, and makes it easier to put problems in perspective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend 2. Diet can also help individuals reduce menopausal mood swings, especially one rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Some people have also found that practices such as tai chi, yoga , and meditation can help them feel more grounded and make it easier to manage stress, irritability, and other symptoms of menopause. Learn more about the natural remedies for menopause symptoms here.

Menopause is a time of emotional and physical change. Many people experience mood swings during and after menopause. Other symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and increased irritability, may accompany these mood swings.

Fluctuations in hormone levels and other bodily changes may cause mood swings and other menopause symptoms. You can call the suicide hotline , which is available 24 hours a day.

Or call to go to the emergency department, where a doctor can see you right away. If you have moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, medication may be an effective treatment option. There are many types of antidepressants, and your doctor can help you pick the right one.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most common but have some side effects. Other antidepressants include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder can also be treated with SSRIs.

Another class of medications, called benzodiazepines, are also used to treat anxiety. However, these medications can be addictive and should be used with caution.

Psychotherapy and relaxation therapies have also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Despite all of the available options for menopause treatment, you may need to get to the root cause of your discomfort.

And if your symptoms are due mainly to the menopausal transition and the upheaval of hormones in its wake, then menopausal hormone treatment may be for you. Custson, T. Managing Menopause. American Family Physician.

deWit, A. Predictors of irritability symptoms in mildly depressed perimenopausal women. Hill, D. Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments for Symptoms of Menopause. Locke, A. Diagnosis and Management of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults.

Maurer, D. Depression: Screening and Diagnosis. Sifren, J. The North American Menopause Society Recommendations for Clinical Care of Midlife Women. Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, 21 10 , ACOG Releases Clinical Guidelines on Management of Menopausal Symptoms.

Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks? What to expect and how to handle it. Health Essentials. Mood changes and depression.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. What Emotions to Expect During Menopause. Walnut Hill Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates. The Flash. Features Women's Health Videos Hot Takes Search.

Menopause Crazy Behavior: Perimenopause Depression 3 minute read By: Alloy Staff Last updated: February 13, Medically reviewed by: Sharon Malone. Your body also undergoes many changes. Women may gain weight. Can Menopause Make You Mentally Unstable? How Hormones Affect Your Moods When you reach perimenopause and transition into menopause, your body's levels of estrogen and progesterone first start to fluctuate and then start to dramatically decrease.

Menopause Mood Swings Even though most women don't become severely depressed or anxious during menopause, lack of energy, mild mood swings, and irritability are common. It's no wonder that we are not feeling our best.

Anxiety Do you experience an intense, instant sense of heat that starts around your face and neck and causes you to sweat? Irritability Irritability, defined as a low threshold for experiencing frustration, is common during menopause.

Treatment for Menopause Menopause is treated by supplementing hormones that your ovaries have stopped producing. When Anxiety and Depression are Serious Do you have severe symptoms of anxiety or depression?

Treatment for Anxiety and Depression If you have moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, medication may be an effective treatment option. Alloy Can Help with Menopause Symptoms Despite all of the available options for menopause treatment, you may need to get to the root cause of your discomfort.

Getting help is easy—all you have to do is take our free assessment or browse our solutions. Sources Custson, T. html deWit, A.

In the UK, HRT which involves taking oestrogen with a progestogen for women who still have their wombs is recommended by NICE to treat menopause-related mood swings and research has shown it helps.

One study, published earlier this year [] by US researchers, found women who took HRT for a year were less likely to develop symptoms of depression during the menopause. There are some risks associated with taking HRT but these are extremely small and the benefits outweigh the risks.

The type and dose of HRT will depend on your individual symptoms and medical history with the advice of your doctor. Arrange a Consultation. Some women with low libido are prescribed a testosterone gel to use alongside HRT.

Low mood can be exacerbated by low libido, sexual dysfunction and problems in your relationship and using small amounts of testosterone gel may boost your libido and energy levels, in turn helping to improve mood.

Your individual case will need to be assessed by a doctor and a low dose is usually prescribed initially. Talk to us. Eating healthily may improve your mood while consuming too much caffeine or sugary foods could lead to unhelpful highs and lows of energy levels.

There is some evidence that being deficient in certain vitamins, such as B12 and magnesium, can affect your mood so increasing your intake of foods rich in these nutrients, such as green leafy vegetables, wholegrains and eggs, may help. Eating oily fish, rich in omega-3, may also improve mood.

Foods high in oestrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens, such as soya beans, lentils and pulses, may also be beneficial. Some research has shown that Japanese women, who have a diet high in phytoestrogens, experience fewer menopausal symptoms than women on a western diet.

Although initially alcohol acts as a stimulant, it eventually has a sedative, depressive effect so that regular heavy drinking can make you feel down. Drinking in moderation and abstaining for several days a week should have a positive effect on your mood.

Some studies show that people who exercise regularly are happier. It is not clear exactly why — it could be that healthier people simply feel better or that exercise may have a positive effect on brain chemistry. Exercise can also improve your sleep and self-esteem at a time when menopausal women may feel embarrassed about their symptoms or worried about ageing.

That sensitivity impacts the body in many ways, including affecting the neurotransmitters in the brain. Kagan says. According to the North American Menopause Society, women who have struggled with severe PMS or clinical depression before perimenopause are more likely to experience significant mood swings or depression during this stage.

Other factors taking place during this stage of life also can contribute to the problem. For instance, if your changing hormones trigger hot flashes which they do for 75 percent of women , you may have trouble sleeping at night, which can add to a depressed, stressed or anxious mood.

Some women in mid-life may also have concerns about body image, loss of fertility or aging that affect their moods. Work stresses or circumstances with adolescent or adult children and aging parents can further contribute to anxiety, anger and depression.

When combined with fluctuating hormones that make our once-predictable body rhythms feel erratic and unpredictable, these life changes can leave you feeling out of control. But rest assured, many treatment options do exists, and you can feel comfortable — yes, even normal — asking for help from your doctor.

For those whose mood swings are severe enough to interfere with life and relationships, medications are a very effective option.

Some women do well with anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, which can be taken just during the second half of the menstrual cycle, or all month, if warranted. Low dose birth control pills or Hormone Therapy drugs are another option, providing women with a steady dose of hormones to reduce symptoms of perimenopause.

For others, talking to a therapist or practicing stress reduction techniques can get them through the mood swings without medication. Kagan notes that women who are already taking medications for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety, especially need to pay attention as they enter menopause.

Be alert. Finally, be aware that some of characteristic symptoms of menopause could also stem from other medical issues, such as elevated or deficient thyroid hormones hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. After a thorough physical exam, you and your doctor will have all the information needed to safely address all your symptoms.

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences. The gold standard, especially for perimenopausal depression, is evidence-based psychotherapy and something biological, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants.

Maki cautions against skipping the therapist and jumping straight to this class of antidepressants. It takes a trained therapist to get to the root of an onset of depression.

Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body, and women beginning menopause often have stress in spades due to career changes, poor sleep, parenting teenagers or children leaving home, aging parents, and relationship issues.

That combination can make women more susceptible to infections and depression, according to the North American Menopause Society NAMS. If you find your mood swings are debilitating, talk with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy.

A review published in July in the journal Drugs and Aging looked at a number of studies on hormones and depression in women going through menopause. The researchers concluded that estrogen may have a role to play in treating menopause-related depression as well as cognitive decline.

Some moodiness may be triggered by irregular sleep caused by hot flashes. More on that later. But NAMS notes that taking hormones is a safe and effective way to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

She adds that irritability will often sap your desire to engage in other healthy habits like exercise or eating well. To rest easy, make good sleep hygiene part of your menopause treatment.

Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day of the week, weekends included. Avoid big meals and stimulants such as caffeine in the evening. Sometimes, you need to seek out the help of others to get you through the tough times.

You can also look for a support group in your area or online. A study published in December in Patient Related Outcome Measures concluded that open discussions about what women are experiencing during menopause can improve awareness, reduce barriers to seeking help, and lead to better care during this transition that all women go through.

Sipping chamomile tea may help you feel calm.

In addition, anxiety and depression may be triggered by a lack of sleep, which also becomes more common at the time of menopause, as hormone shifts cause nighttime hot flashes or other sleep disruptions that make it more difficult for women to get the rest they need.

Monitor your mood and make note of patterns in other factors such as sleep and stress levels. Seek professional help if symptoms become severe and interfere with daily life. Make lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise, getting adequate sleep, and controlling stress to reduce potential symptoms.

Know that it's temporary. Typically, the mood changes that accompany female hormonal changes during the menopausal transition won't last. People who opt to treat their condition using antidepressants or other methods won't necessarily have to continue treatment forever, potentially just through this time period, she says.

This is not the case, and help is available. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health?

Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. March 1, Shifts in the levels of female hormones can cause temporary mood changes, including symptoms of depression.

Anxiety and menopause While research has clearly linked menopause and depression, the connection is less clear when it comes to anxiety. Health changes and mood disturbances Changes in your physical health at the time of menopause may also drive mood changes. So, what can you do to protect your mental health as you go through menopause?

Be aware that mood changes may accompany other menopausal symptoms. Reach out to others. Don't struggle alone. Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email.

Print This Page Click to Print. Related Content. They are amazing, powerful women — raising families, holding down jobs, caring for elderly relatives, all while coping with menopause.

By understanding my moods are menopause, I feel more in control and able to manage my symptoms. And my husband has no need to be concerned when I pick up a tea-towel.

I started to notice other changes and spoke to my GP. After a blood test and talking it through with my GP, I was placed on HRT and my quality of life has improved dramatically.

It is really hard to notice some of the symptoms of the perimenopause - most of them could crop up in daily life and be attributed to quite different triggers. Reading the list of symptoms from the Mental Health UK website really made me appreciate that I could be menopausal.

I have been on HRT now for 5 months and feel so much better. I could not cope with how I felt before. Read more about what the menopause is, how it can affect your physical and mental health, and the steps you can take to look after your wellbeing during this time. Just £10 could help pay for a call to our advice and information line, supporting someone living with mental illness who may be feeling in distress during this time.

Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with our events and appeals. Click 'subscribe' to choose your contact preferences. Hide this Combined Shape.

London Landmarks Half Marathon Take on one of the biggest running events of the year and explore the capital on a route like no other!

Sign up now. If I could just float away down the river and out into the sea… I started taking lunch breaks in the middle of a project, so I knew I had a reason to return to work.

Need more information? Menopause and your mental health Read more about what the menopause is, how it can affect your physical and mental health, and the steps you can take to look after your wellbeing during this time.

Your donation will make the difference Just £10 could help pay for a call to our advice and information line, supporting someone living with mental illness who may be feeling in distress during this time.

Donate today. Join our newsletter Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with our events and appeals. Click 'subscribe' to choose your contact preferences Email address. Our commitment to co-production 5th February How employers and employees can alleviate the risk of burnout at work 29th January We need a national summit to tackle burnout and create healthy workplaces which best support people to stay in or return to work 22nd January

Going Mad in Perimenopause? Signs and Solutions Home For Professionals Annual Meeting Publications For Women Commercial Supporters Press Room About NAMS Member Login Contact Us. Signs and Solutions. Adopting appropriate strategies can help you achieve a happier, healthier future. Menopause Symptoms and Treatments Are We There Yet?

Navigate Now with Our Guided Menopause Tour Five Solutions for Menopause Symptoms How Do I Know When I'm in Menopause? Instant Help for Induced Menopause Is It Menopause or a Thyroid Problem?

Copyright© Home Privacy Policy Site Map. Email to a Friend. Email to Friend. Email a Friend close. Your Name: Your Friend's E-mail: Optional Message: character limit. Your friend will receive an e-mail invitation to view this page, but we will not store or share this e-mail address with outside parties.

These are hot flashes that take place when someone is asleep. Night sweats can be so intense that a person wakes in the night. Several nights of disrupted sleep can result in foggy thinking, irritability, and other characteristics associated with menopausal mood swings.

Two of the most important risk factors for difficult menopausal mood swings are a history of severe premenstrual syndrome PMS and prior episodes of depression or other significant mental health problems.

People may also have a greater risk of emotional problems during menopause if they have any of the following situations:. Sleep disruptions can contribute to mood swings, interfering with day-to-day functioning. Unfortunately, these choices make it more difficult to face and work through their concerns.

It may also add substance misuse to the issues they need to address. Emotional problems may not be as easy to see as other conditions, but they are no less painful, limiting, and potentially devastating.

Hormone replacement therapy HRT can help treat several menopausal symptoms, including:. However, HRT can carry a small risk of breast and ovarian cancer, stroke, and gallbladder disease.

As a result, the Food and Drug Administration FDA advises that people wishing to partake in HRT use the lowest available dose for the shortest possible time. Many people find that interpersonal therapy and counseling help them deal with the mental health symptoms of menopause.

For example, studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy CBT may help to treat:. Experts have found that exercise, diet, getting enough sleep, and pursuing supportive friendships can all help people with the emotional aspects of the transition into menopause.

Regular exercise is a great way to promote both mental and physical health. Being active helps relieve stress, improves mood, and makes it easier to put problems in perspective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend 2. Diet can also help individuals reduce menopausal mood swings, especially one rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Some people have also found that practices such as tai chi, yoga , and meditation can help them feel more grounded and make it easier to manage stress, irritability, and other symptoms of menopause. Learn more about the natural remedies for menopause symptoms here.

Menopause is a time of emotional and physical change. Many people experience mood swings during and after menopause. Other symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and increased irritability, may accompany these mood swings.

Fluctuations in hormone levels and other bodily changes may cause mood swings and other menopause symptoms. In this article, we examine whether there is a link between menopause and an underactive thyroid, and how the two may affect each other.

When does menopause start? Is it still possible to become pregnant? Here, find out the answers to these and other questions about menopause. It protects you from a variety of medical conditions, keeps your heart in tip-top shape, and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

They cite an analysis showing that exercise improved symptoms of depression for women in midlife and older women. Like exercise, a healthy diet has a number of benefits.

Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, and fewer fats and less sugar can help to ward off diseases such as diabetes and keep you at a healthy weight.

Maki often recommends her patients try a Mediterranean-style diet, which uses olive oil as its main fat. A study published in April in Frontiers in Endocrinology analyzed the eating habits of 82 overweight women going through menopause. It found that those whose normal diets aligned most closely with a Mediterranean-style diet had better sleep and fewer menopause symptoms than women who ate differently.

That included psychological symptoms like depression, irritability, and anxiety. The gold standard, especially for perimenopausal depression, is evidence-based psychotherapy and something biological, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants.

Maki cautions against skipping the therapist and jumping straight to this class of antidepressants. It takes a trained therapist to get to the root of an onset of depression.

Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body, and women beginning menopause often have stress in spades due to career changes, poor sleep, parenting teenagers or children leaving home, aging parents, and relationship issues.

That combination can make women more susceptible to infections and depression, according to the North American Menopause Society NAMS. If you find your mood swings are debilitating, talk with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy.

A review published in July in the journal Drugs and Aging looked at a number of studies on hormones and depression in women going through menopause. The researchers concluded that estrogen may have a role to play in treating menopause-related depression as well as cognitive decline.

Some moodiness may be triggered by irregular sleep caused by hot flashes. More on that later. But NAMS notes that taking hormones is a safe and effective way to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.