Menopause Irritability

“You may notice that menopause causes
your mood to change. This is due to changing hormone levels.
You might experience: irritability…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Irritability Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Irritability
  • Menopause Mood Changes

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and irritability?

In Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“You may notice that menopause causes your mood to change. This is due to changing hormone levels. You might experience:

  • Irritability
  • Increased anger
  • Low mood
  • Depression and anxiety”.2

On page three in Menopause FAQs: What About Mood Swings, Memory Loss And Depression? with the permission of the Canadian Menopause Society, the International Menopause Society share:

“Many women often experience irritability, tearfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, poor concentration and mood swings as they go through menopause. But, are all of these things caused by menopause?

Mood swings vs. depression: Mood swings related to menopause and depression are two separate things. Menopause does not cause depression nor are there higher rates of depression among menopausal women. However, sleep disorders and hot flushes (flashes) are common, and these can contribute to feeling irritable and moody”.3

Stress

Is there an association between stress and irritability?

In Menopause and Mood: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) note:

“Feeling stress is common during middle age as personal and environmental changes take place. This can have a strong effect on mood in some women. Life circumstances that can impact mental health include:

  • Caring for children
  • Caring for elderly parents
  • Career changes
  • Relationship changes
  • Ageing
  • Body changes
  • Illness”.4

Management

Menopause IrritabilityHow may I manage my irritability?

In Menopause and Mood: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS explain:

“The menopause transition is an ideal time to take stock of all aspects of your health and consider lifestyle and other changes so that you can live the healthiest possible lifestyle.

Given the complex and overlapping nature of the physical and mental health changes during the menopause transition, speaking with your doctor is the best place to start”.5

Health Care Provider

What if my irritability makes me more irritable?

If your irritability makes you more irritable, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Menopause and Mood: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS elaborate on:


“Psychological therapies and social supports can be beneficial to women with mental health symptoms.

Women should have an individualised assessment with their doctor in order to discuss the most appropriate treatment pathway. Options may include lifestyle changes, psychological therapies and medications such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or antidepressants”.6

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Irritability?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted:

Sources

  1. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 08 April 2025 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 12 April 2025
  2. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 08 April 2025 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 12 April 2025
  3. Menopause FAQs: What About Mood Swings, Memory Loss And Depression? Page: 2. Canadian Menopause Society, and the International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMS-English-Factsheet-8-FAQ.pdf Accessed: 12 April 2025
  4. Menopause and Mood: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. Content Updated February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 12 April 2025
  5. Menopause and Mood: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. Content Updated February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 12 April 2025
  6. Menopause and Mood: Treatment Options for Mental Health Symptoms. Content Updated February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 12 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 12 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 April 2025

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