Disclaimer: Not everyone who goes through menopause identifies as a woman and not all people who identify as women go through menopause. At Jayla, our core audience is people who identify as women, so we primarily use the word “women.” However, we’re working on specific content for people going through menopause who might not identify women. Inclusivity is a key value of ours, so bear with us!
You’re crying in the cereal aisle. Again. You’re exhausted, irritable, and not quite yourself. But what’s really going on? Is it depression, perimenopause, or both?
These two experiences can overlap in confusing ways, and for many women, the difference isn’t clear right away. But teasing apart the causes can help you get the right support, whether that be hormonal, emotional, or both. If you already have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, hormonal shifts during perimenopause can also sometimes make those symptoms feel worse.
Let’s Get Curious: Symptom Detective Quiz
When your mind feels foggy and your moods are all over the place, it can be hard to know what to make of it. This isn’t a diagnosis, just a quick self-check to help you notice patterns and get a little closer to clarity.
Mental Health Quiz
1) You haven’t laughed in weeks. Do you:
- A. Want to cry, but can’t.
- B. Want to cry at literally everything.
- C. Feel flat, exhausted, and slightly angry..
2) Your mood swings have been wild. Is it:
- A. Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
- B. Sudden tears followed by bursts of anger.
- C. A rollercoaster that seems tied to your cycle.
3) Your energy feels:
- A. Drained all the time, no matter how much you rest.
- B. Low but gets better after sleep or a break.
- C. Up and down—sometimes foggy, sometimes wired.
4) Sleep lately has been:
- A. Tossing and turning or sleeping way too much.
- B. Interrupted by hot flashes or night sweats.
- C. Inconsistent, with some nights better than others.
5) Your thoughts have been:
- A. Negative, self-critical, or hopeless.
- B. Foggy, forgetful, or fuzzy, like your brain is buffering.
- C. A confusing mix of sharp moments and blanks.
What Your Answers Suggest
Disclaimer: this is not a medical diagnosis, rather an informal quiz to help you check in with yourself, and look at the different symptoms you’re experiencing. For a clinical assessment, there are validated medical questionnaires used by professionals to evaluate conditions like depression.
Mostly A’s?
You may be showing classic signs of depression. Depression is characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, feelings of worthlessness, and sleep troubles. It’s worth reaching out to a mental health professional who can help you explore next steps and treatment options.
Mostly B’s?
Your symptoms point more toward perimenopausal mood shifts. Perimenopausal mood shifts are characterized by sudden mood swings that often follow your cycle, emotional sensitivity, brain fog, irritability, and energy that tends to improve after rest or hormone support. Tracking your symptoms alongside your menstrual cycle and considering hormone testing (like Jayla’s at-home menopause hormone test) can offer clarity.
Mostly C’s?
You might be navigating a mix of both perimenopause and depression. Since symptoms overlap, like mood swings, fatigue, sleep issues, it’s a good idea to consult a provider trained in both areas to get a comprehensive view and tailored care.
What about anxiety?
While we are primarily focusing on depression, it’s important to know that anxiety often walks hand-in-hand with it during perimenopause. You might feel more tense, reactive, or overwhelmed than usual, or notice a constant buzz of unease you can’t quite explain. These feelings can be just as disruptive as low mood or fatigue — and they’re just as valid. Both depression and anxiety can be amplified by hormonal shifts, especially when paired with sleep disruptions, brain fog, or unpredictable cycles. If you’re noticing either (or both), you’re not alone, and the right support can help you feel more grounded.
Understanding the Overlap Between Perimenopause and Depression
Estrogen doesn’t just affect your periods, it’s also key for brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood, motivation, and sleep. (1) When estrogen dips and rises unpredictably during perimenopause, it can throw these systems off balance. That’s why mood changes during this time can look a lot like depression. (2)
Given that hormonal fluctuations can cause mood changes that look and feel like clinical depression, symptoms are often misunderstood. Many women are prescribed antidepressants to manage mood symptoms. (3) If the root cause is hormonal, these medications may only offer partial relief for mood-related issues. However, it’s worth noting that certain antidepressants, like venlafaxine and paroxetine, are also sometimes prescribed specifically to treat vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes. So while they may not target the hormonal shifts directly, they can still be part of a broader symptom management plan.
Understanding this connection is crucial. Addressing hormonal imbalances directly through lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or other targeted treatments can often significantly improve mood and overall well-being during perimenopause. (4)
Next Steps for Perimenopause and Depression
Tracking your symptoms might feel like just another task, but it is one of the most powerful ways to understand what your body is really saying. Start simple. Take note of how your mood, sleep, and energy shift before, during, and after your period. And if you have not had a period in a few months but have not yet reached the 12-month point that defines menopause, tracking becomes even more important. These in-between months can feel confusing, but they are a normal part of perimenopause. Your symptoms still matter, even when your cycle is irregular or unpredictable.
You can also use symptom-tracking apps to make it easier. Even a few quick taps each day can reveal meaningful patterns over time, especially when it comes to emotional shifts like mood changes, low motivation, or increased anxiety.e.
If things still feel confusing, that is completely normal. You are not doing it wrong. You are learning how your unique rhythm works. And you do not have to figure it out on your own.
At Jayla, we are here to help you connect the dots. Our team includes both menopause specialists and mental health professionals who understand the complex relationship between hormones and mood. We offer care that sees the full picture and supports the whole you.
Taking these steps can help you feel more in control and more hopeful about what comes next.
You are not “losing it.” These symptoms are real, and they are often driven by chemistry, not character. With the right support, you can find your balance again and feel like yourself once more.
References
1. Albert, P. R. (2015). Why is depression more prevalent in women? Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 40(4), 219–221. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.150205
2. Greendale, G.A., Lee, N.P. and Arriola, E.R. (2010) ‘The menopause’, The Lancet, 376(9745), pp. 1281-1292. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60325-5 (Accessed: 19 July 2025).
3. Freeman, M.P., Sammel, M.D., Lin, H., Nelson, D.B. and Hollander, L. (2006) ‘Effects of oophorectomy on mood in premenopausal women’, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 108(5), pp. 1091-1097. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000235470.96445.10 (Accessed: 19 July 2025).
4. Maki, P.M. (2015) ‘Neurobiology of menopausal symptoms: can hormone therapy help?’, Menopause, 22(5), pp. 581-584. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000406 (Accessed: 19 July 2025).
