Mood Swings, Anxiety, and Rage: Understanding the Emotional Rollercoaster of Perimenopause
If you’ve found yourself snapping at people you love, feeling waves of anxiety that seem to appear from nowhere, or wondering, “Why don’t I feel like myself anymore?” — you are not losing your mind. You are going through a powerful, biological, and deeply human transition that deserves compassion, not dismissal.
It’s Not Just in Your Head — It’s in Your Hormones
It’s Not Just in Your Head — It’s in Your Hormones
As women, we’re often told to “push through it,” “calm down,” or “stop being hormonal.” But here’s the truth: your brain and body are literally rewiring themselves during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen and progesterone — the same hormones that helped regulate your mood and energy for decades — begin to fluctuate, and those shifts affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
When estrogen dips, serotonin (the “feel-good” chemical) can drop with it, leading to irritability or even sadness. Dopamine, which influences motivation and focus, can also take a hit, leaving you feeling scattered or unmotivated. Add in rising cortisol levels — your stress hormone — and suddenly even small frustrations can feel like full-blown crises.
You’re not broken. You’re experiencing a hormonal shift that’s influencing your brain chemistry.
The Unspoken Side of Menopause: Anger and Emotional Overload
Many women tell me they feel a level of anger during perimenopause they’ve never experienced before — and it can be jarring. Part of that anger is biological. But part of it is emotional: decades of overextending ourselves, managing everyone else’s needs, and rarely putting our own first.
This stage of life often brings an awakening — a recognition that boundaries need to change, priorities need to shift, and you deserve peace as much as anyone else. When you honor those feelings instead of suppressing them, healing begins.
Reclaiming Emotional Balance: A Layered Approach
Managing mood shifts during menopause isn’t about “fixing” yourself. It’s about supporting your body and brain through one of the most significant transitions of your life. Here are evidence-based approaches that I recommend — and use myself:
Hormone Therapy (When Appropriate)
For many women, hormone therapy can be life-changing. When started at the right time and under proper medical supervision, it can help restore emotional stability, improve sleep, and support long-term brain and heart health. If your provider hasn’t discussed this with you, it’s worth asking. You deserve the full picture.Movement That Feeds the Mind
Exercise isn’t just for the body — it’s one of the best tools we have for mood regulation. Mind-body exercises like yoga, Pilates, or tai chi have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in menopausal women. Movement releases endorphins, supports brain function, and helps you reclaim control over your body.Prioritize Restorative Sleep
Sleep disruptions are common during menopause, and they make everything feel worse. Try setting a consistent bedtime, limiting caffeine after lunch, and reducing screen time before bed. For some women, progesterone supplementation can also improve sleep quality — but always discuss this with your healthcare provider first.Nourish Your Brain Through Food
What you eat directly impacts your mood. Focus on whole, anti-inflammatory foods — colorful vegetables, omega-3 fats, and lean proteins. Avoid sugar spikes that lead to mood crashes. The Mediterranean-style diet, rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, has been linked to better emotional balance and overall brain health.Mindfulness and Emotional Awareness
Meditation and mindfulness aren’t just “nice-to-haves” — they’re tools that help rewire your brain’s stress response. Start small: two minutes of slow breathing, focusing on gratitude, or simply sitting quietly without judgment. Emotional clarity comes from awareness, not avoidance.
The Bigger Picture: Menopause as an Opportunity
Menopause isn’t just a physical change. It’s an invitation to evolve — to shed old expectations and embrace new power. This is the moment when many women start redefining who they are and what truly matters.
It’s not the end of your vitality — it’s the beginning of living on your own terms.
So if you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” I want you to know this: it’s not. It’s in your hormones, your brain chemistry, and your life experience. And you deserve care that reflects all of it — compassionate, informed, and empowering.
Let’s change the narrative. Let’s talk openly about what it means to be a woman in midlife — bold, wise, and unapologetically in control of both your health and your wealth.
Because when you take control of one, you strengthen the other.
Defy Menopause - Own the Change
Many women tell me: "One day I feel amazing. The next, I can barely get out of bed. Is this normal?"
Yes, it is. And no, you don’t have to suffer through it alone.
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your body. But knowledge is powerful. And there are clear, science-backed ways to support your hormones, ease symptoms, and reclaim your energy.
That’s exactly why I created Defy Menopause: Own the Change — a 30-day program designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and support you need to move through these changes with clarity and confidence.
Inside, you’ll find:
Weekly access to Dr. Tracy Verrico at live, group sessions
Clear action steps for managing symptoms naturally
Because you deserve more than just "putting up with it."
You deserve to thrive.
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