Mood swings happen when your feelings quickly change from happy to sad, angry, or worried. Many women experience these changes, and sometimes they can be very strong. Knowing why mood swings happen can help you manage them better and make daily life easier. Keep reading to learn…

Monthly Cycles

Before a woman’s period, hormone changes can make her feel sad, angry, or very tired. Doctors call this premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Some women experience a stronger type of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD makes these feelings more intense and harder to manage, causing trouble with everyday activities.

Pregnancy and After the Baby Comes

When a woman is pregnant, hormones rise quickly, causing emotional ups and downs. She might feel worried, sad, or excited in a short amount of time. After the baby is born, hormone levels quickly drop, which can lead to mood changes called “baby blues.” Some women might experience a more serious condition known as postpartum depression, where they feel deep sadness, tiredness, or even hopelessness for weeks or months.

Menopause

Menopause happens when a woman stops having her periods, usually around age 50. During menopause, hormone levels drop sharply, causing mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sometimes sadness. These mood changes can affect relationships, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Stress and Emotional Feelings

Stressful situations or strong emotions can easily trigger mood swings. If you worry about your love partner, school, friendships, family problems, or finances, your mood can change quickly. Doctors say long-term stress can also cause anxiety and sadness. Losing someone you love, moving, or dealing with family changes, like divorce, can make mood swings worse and harder to control.

Mental Health Conditions

Mood swings can sometimes be a sign of mental health problems. Here are some common examples:

Bipolar disorder: People with bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings. They might feel very excited, happy, and energetic one moment (called mania), and deeply sad, tired, or hopeless the next.
Depression: Depression is more than just feeling sad sometimes. It involves feeling very sad, hopeless, and tired almost every day. It can last for weeks or even months.
Anxiety disorders: People with anxiety disorders often feel worried, nervous, or fearful about many things. These feelings can cause mood swings, making them irritable or upset easily.

Unhealthy Eating

Eating too many sweets, drinking too much caffeine like soda or coffee, or consuming alcohol can cause mood swings. These foods and drinks can quickly change how you feel because they affect blood sugar and brain chemistry. Eating balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, proteins, and good fats helps keep your mood stable and reduces mood swings.

Not Enough Exercise

Exercise helps your body produce special chemicals called endorphins that make you feel good and less stressed. Doctors and public health experts say that regular exercise can improve your mood and reduce how often you experience mood swings. Even just a short walk or bike ride can help.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can make you feel grumpy, tired, and stressed. Most people need around 7 to 9 hours of good sleep each night. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine and going to bed at the same time every night can help improve your sleep and mood.

Medicines and Health Problems

Certain medicines, such as birth control pills or medications for asthma or allergies, can sometimes cause mood changes. Health conditions, like thyroid problems, diabetes, heart disease, or illnesses affecting the brain, can also lead to mood swings. If you think your medicine or a health issue might be causing mood changes, tell your doctor immediately.

When Should You See a Doctor?

It’s normal to have mood swings occasionally. But you should see a doctor if mood swings become severe, happen frequently, or interfere with daily life. Especially if mood swings:

Make it hard to focus on work, school, or daily tasks
Hurt friendships or family relationships
Cause you to think about hurting yourself or make you feel hopeless

How Doctors Treat Mood Swings

Treatment depends on why you’re having mood swings. Doctors might suggest:

Talking with a therapist (counseling): Therapy helps you learn ways to manage stress, emotions, and problems better.
Medicines: Certain medications help balance mood swings, especially if they’re caused by mental health issues or hormonal imbalances.
Healthy daily routines: Doctors recommend getting regular exercise, eating healthy, sleeping enough, and reducing stress to keep your mood steady.