How do mood swings change during perimenopause?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Perimenopause and mood swings are closely linked. As estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, many women experience heightened emotional sensitivity, irritability, anxiety, and even depression. These hormonal shifts affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulate mood, making emotional ups and downs a common—but often overlooked—symptom of perimenopause.

Because mood changes can overlap with other health conditions, it's important to understand what's driving how you feel. Take a free, instant symptom check to explore possible causes and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of mood swings Learn if mood swings need care Find out if it's perimenopause See OTC options for mood swings Find specialists for perimenopause symptoms Understand home remedies for mood swings Check if symptoms match perimenopause

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Explanation

During perimenopause, women may experience mood swings that can be more intense and frequent than before. These changes are largely due to hormonal fluctuations that occur as the body transitions towards menopause.

Hormonal Changes:

The levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone change, which can affect mood.

Emotional Sensitivity:

Women might feel more sensitive to stress and experience mood swings, such as feeling happy one moment and sad the next.

Mood Disorders:

Some women may experience mood disorders for the first time during this period, including depression or anxiety.

It's important to note that these mood changes are a normal part of perimenopause. However, if mood swings become overwhelming or interfere with daily life, you should seek help from a healthcare provider. To better understand your symptoms and get personalized guidance, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker. For mental health concerns, you can visit 988lifeline.org.

(References)

Musial N, Ali Z, Grbevski J, Veerakumar A, & Sharma P. (2021). Perimenopause and First-Onset Mood Disorders: A Closer .... Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 34690602.
Bromberger JT, Assmann SF, Avis NE, Schocken M, Kravitz HM, & Cordal A. (2003). Persistent mood symptoms in a multiethnic community .... American journal of epidemiology, 12915500.
Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Gracia CR, & Kapoor S. (2008). Symptoms in the menopausal transition: hormone and .... Obstetrics and gynecology, 18165401.

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