How Hormones Affect Mood During Menopause

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Hormones Changes During Menopause

Menopause is known for its physical changes—hot flushes, night sweats, and irregular periods—but its emotional effects are just as important. For many women, mood changes can be one of the most disruptive aspects of this life stage. If you've felt more anxious, irritable, or low during midlife, you're not imagining it. Hormonal shifts during menopause directly influence the brain and emotions.

We’ll explain how hormones affect mood during menopause, what changes are common, and how you can manage them with practical steps and professional support.

Why Do Hormones Impact Mood?

Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone don’t just regulate your menstrual cycle. They also interact with key neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—all of which influence mood, sleep, and anxiety levels.

During perimenopause and menopause, levels of these hormones fluctuate significantly. For many women, it’s these fluctuations—not just the eventual drop—that trigger emotional symptoms.

Mood Changes You Might Experience

Not every woman experiences mood-related symptoms during menopause, but the following are common:

Irritability – Feeling short-tempered or quick to anger.
Anxiety – Increased nervousness or a constant sense of worry.
Low Mood – Feeling flat, down, or emotionally disconnected.
Mood Swings – Sudden emotional changes without a clear cause.
Tearfulness – Finding yourself crying more easily than usual.
Restlessness or Poor Concentration – Struggling to focus or relax.

These symptoms can appear suddenly and often don’t follow the same patterns as premenstrual mood changes, making them more difficult to predict or manage without support.

Oestrogen’s Role in Emotional Health

Oestrogen supports serotonin production in the brain, which plays a major role in stabilising mood and promoting well-being. When oestrogen drops during menopause, serotonin levels may fall too, leading to:

Increased sensitivity to stress
Lower emotional resilience
More frequent or intense mood fluctuations

This helps explain why many women report feeling “not like themselves” during this time.

The Progesterone Connection

Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain, in part because of its relationship with GABA (a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation). As progesterone levels decline, you may experience:

More frequent sleep disturbances
Heightened anxiety
Reduced ability to cope with everyday stress

For women with a history of anxiety or depression, these changes can be more noticeable—and may require additional support.

How to Manage Mood Changes During Menopause

There’s no single solution for emotional symptoms, but several strategies can make a real difference:

1. Talk to a Menopause Specialist

If mood changes are affecting your daily life, speak to a professional. At Surrey Menopause Clinic, we take your emotional health seriously and can help assess whether treatments such as HRT, CBT, or other support are suitable. Contact us here to speak to a specialist.

2. Explore Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

For many women, HRT can ease mood symptoms by stabilising hormone levels. It’s particularly helpful if mood swings occur alongside other symptoms such as hot flushes or sleep problems.Learn more via the NHS HRT guide.

3. Use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is proven to help with low mood, anxiety, and negative thought patterns. It can also support better sleep, which has a knock-on effect on emotional health.

4. Focus on Daily Routine

Regular Exercise – Walking, swimming, or yoga improves mood and reduces anxiety.
Nutritious Diet – A diet rich in whole foods supports brain and hormonal health.
Sleep Hygiene – Aim for a consistent bedtime and avoid screens before sleep.
Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine – Both can worsen mood instability and anxiety.

What If It Feels Like More Than Just Mood Swings?

If you’re experiencing persistent low mood, panic attacks, or emotional withdrawal, don’t dismiss it as “just menopause.” These could be signs of clinical anxiety or depression, which deserve the same attention as any physical symptom.

Professional menopause care includes emotional and psychological support, and the earlier you seek help, the more effective the outcome tends to be.

You’re Not Alone Support Is Available

It’s easy to feel isolated or overwhelmed when emotions are unpredictable. But the truth is, millions of women experience emotional symptoms during menopause, and help is available.

At Surrey Menopause Clinic, we support women through every stage of menopause, including those struggling with mental and emotional changes. Whether you’re in perimenopause or have already transitioned, we offer tailored advice and treatment options to help you feel like yourself again. Book an online appointment here.