Menopause also causes emotional changes. Studies have shown that some women experience depression and anger during menopause. Fortunately, menopausal mood swings are manageable with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Menopause and mood swings: is it inevitable?
Some research studies suggest that there is a link between menopause and mood swings. This could explain why many women experience varying mood patterns during menopause. These studies suggest that menopausal mood swings are due to hormonal changes.
During menopause, the levels of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone decline, causing physical and psychological changes in the body.
Perimenopausal rage
Perimenopausal rage is an emotion characterized by a sudden feeling of anger or irritation. One moment you could be feeling untroubled, and the next you’re bursting with anger. This could be because of low estrogen levels.
You can try to manage perimenopausal rage by identifying triggers to avoid. You can also learn anger control techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
What causes menopausal mood swings?
Studies suggest that menopausal mood swings are caused by fluctuating hormone levels.
Menopause involves three stages. The first stage is the perimenopause stage, and it is referred to as the menopausal transition.
Typically, perimenopause occurs at age 45, but it can happen earlier. During perimenopause, you might experience symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, irregular periods, and low libido.
All these symptoms are caused by changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. During the menopausal transition, the reproductive hormone levels drop because your ovaries are producing less of these hormones.
The second stage is called the menopause stage, and this is when women have stopped having their period for a full year. At this stage, the ovaries no longer release eggs and vastly decrease the production of reproductive hormones.
During the postmenopausal stage, which comes after menopause, the hormone levels stabilize at a lower level. You’ll start to experience fewer menopausal symptoms until they eventually stop manifesting completely.