When should I see a doctor about mood swings during perimenopause?

While mood swings is common during perimenopause, certain patterns warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider. Not every symptom needs medical attention, but knowing when to seek help is important.

See your doctor if mood swings is: severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, work, or relationships; getting progressively worse over time rather than fluctuating; accompanied by other concerning symptoms like chest pain, significant bleeding, or sudden onset of confusion; not responding to lifestyle changes after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent effort.

Also schedule a visit if mood swings is affecting your mental health, causing you to withdraw from activities you enjoy, or if you are concerned it might be caused by something other than perimenopause. Many conditions can mimic perimenopause symptoms, and a proper evaluation rules out thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, and other treatable causes.

Bring your symptom tracking data to your appointment. Specific dates, severity ratings, and pattern observations help your provider make faster, more accurate assessments.