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Perimenopausal Mood

Meaning

Perimenopausal mood refers to the spectrum of emotional and psychological changes experienced by women during the perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to the final menstrual period. These mood alterations frequently include increased irritability, anxiety, emotional lability, and depressive symptoms, which are often experienced with a severity that impacts daily function. These shifts are fundamentally driven by the significant and often erratic fluctuations in ovarian hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which directly impact central nervous system neurotransmitter systems. Recognizing these changes as biologically mediated is crucial for empathetic and effective clinical management.