Does menopause cause moodiness and depression?
Few scientific studies support the belief that menopause contributes to true clinical depression, severe anxiety or erratic behavior. However, some perimenopausal women report symptoms of tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling blue or discouraged. It is unclear whether these mood symptoms are related to the gradual decline in ovarian hormone levels but sleep deprivation associated with night sweats often results in fatigue, irritability and moodiness. Abrupt hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause may have an impact on these symptoms as well. During their reproductive years, most women become accustomed to their own hormonal rhythm. During perimenopause, this rhythm changes and the erratic hormonal ups and downs — although normal — can create a sense of loss of control that can be upsetting. Sometimes, coping skills and lifestyle changes are not sufficient to relieve symptoms of stress. These symptoms may be a side effect of medication, a symptom of a medical condition, or the result
