If you’re in your 40s and feel like your emotions are suddenly on a roller coaster, let me say this clearly: You are not “too sensitive.”
You are not losing control.
And you are definitely not imagining it.

Mood swings are one of the most common — yet least talked about signs of perimenopause. One moment you feel calm and capable, and the next you feel irritated, anxious, tearful, or completely overwhelmed… often without a clear reason.

So, what’s really happening?

Let’s unpack this gently from both a hormonal and Ayurvedic lens.

1. Hormones Are Fluctuating — Not Declining (Yet)

During perimenopause, hormones don’t steadily drop. They fluctuate wildly, especially estrogen and progesterone.

• Estrogen affects serotonin, the “feel-good” brain chemical
• Progesterone has a calming, grounding effect on the nervous system

When these hormones rise and fall unpredictably, your brain chemistry follows. This is why mood changes can feel sudden, intense, and unfamiliar. You may notice:

• Irritability over small things
• Feeling weepy for no clear reason
• Anxiety or inner restlessness
• Low motivation or emotional fatigue

2. The Nervous System Becomes More Sensitive

Perimenopause is a neuro-endocrine transition ~ meaning your brain and hormones are deeply involved.

Lower progesterone → less natural calm
Fluctuating estrogen → heightened stress response

This makes your nervous system more reactive. Things you once handled easily may now feel overwhelming: All of a sudden, you just cannot tolerate loud noises! Cannot multi-task any more! Cannot perform under pressure or take any kind of pressure for that matter!

This isn’t weakness — it’s biology asking for slower rhythms.

3. Sleep Disruption Intensifies Emotions

Even subtle sleep changes can dramatically affect mood.

Perimenopause often brings:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Night waking
• Early morning anxiety
• Feeling tired despite “enough” hours in bed

When sleep is disturbed, emotional resilience drops, irritability increases, anxiety feels louder and tears come more easily! Believe me! Poor sleep amplifies every emotion!

4. Blood Sugar Imbalances Play a Bigger Role

As hormones shift, so does insulin sensitivity. Many women in perimenopause feel “emotionally unstable” when the real issue is blood sugar instability. Skipping meals, eating too little, or relying on caffeine and sugar can now trigger sudden mood crashes, anxiety, brain fog and anger! And for this reason~ Proper Nourishment becomes emotional medicine.

5. From an Ayurvedic Lens: Vata Aggravation

In Ayurveda, perimenopause is a Vata-dominant transition.

We know that Vata governs the nervous system, thoughts and emotions. So when Vata becomes aggravated, it shows up as:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Overthinking
• Feeling ungrounded or scattered
• Emotional sensitivity

This is why perimenopause responds beautifully to:

• Routine
• Warm, nourishing foods
• Rest
• Slower pace
• Emotional containment

Your body is asking for grounding, not pushing.

6. What makes these symptoms Worse….

One of the biggest mistakes women make during perimenopause is trying to live exactly as they did before and they start relying on more caffeine for more productivity. This increases nervous system overload and emotional volatility.

Perimenopause is not a breakdown — it’s a recalibration (A process of adjusting, resetting, or fine-tuning your life!) Mood swings during perimenopause are not random. They are intelligent signals from your body and mind.

They are invitations to:

• Slow down
• Eat more regularly and mindfully
• Rest without guilt
• Create emotional safety
• Re-design life with more care

When supported correctly — with nourishment, routine, self-compassion, and holistic tools — mood swings soften, stabilize, and often become powerful guides.

Remember: Menopause is not a disease. It is just another phase in a woman’s life. In fact, you are not “becoming difficult.” You are becoming more sensitive to what no longer serves you.

And that, my dear, is wisdom!

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NAMASTE,

Preeti Syal
M.Sc., R.H.N., Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant

The content provided in my blogs are for knowledge sharing purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.