In fact, for most, it is simply a normal transition in their lives. During this time of life, emotional swings can occur in everyone, both men and women. They generally concern issues such as children leaving home, parents growing older, or career changes. They are not usually due to the hormonal changes of the perimenopause itself, and there is no evidence linking perimenopause with behavioral problems or other symptoms. Hormonal shifts during this time, however, can cause sleep disturbances.
Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and a decreased sense of well-being.
Mood swings may occur as a result of the hormonal shifts, similar to what some women experience during a menstrual cycle, only more unpredictably. Low-dose oral contraceptives can help to even out these hormonal shifts. Talk to your health care professional if you are experiencing these symptoms. It is possible to become pregnant during the perimenopause, though it is less likely than in your twenties or thirties. The medical risks associated with pregnancy increase dramatically at this time.