Hormone therapy linked to fewer mood disturbances during menopause transition

Mood disturbances—including depressed mood, irritability, anxiety and mental exhaustion—affect as many as 68 percent of women undergoing the menopause transition, according to recent clinical observations. These symptoms often emerge alongside the more widely recognized vasomotor and genitourinary changes that characterize this life stage, adding a significant psychological burden for many patients.

Hormone therapy (HT) is currently FDA‑approved to treat hot flashes and genitourinary syndrome of menopause, yet its efficacy in alleviating mood‑related complaints remains uncertain. While some studies suggest that estrogen supplementation may influence neurotransmitter pathways linked to mood regulation, the evidence is not yet conclusive, and guidelines continue to prioritize HT for physical symptoms rather than psychological ones. Clinicians therefore rely on a combination of lifestyle interventions, psychotherapy, and, when appropriate, antidepressant medications to manage mood disturbances in menopausal women.

Further research is needed to clarify the potential role of HT in mood symptom management and to develop evidence‑based recommendations. In the meantime, health providers are advised to assess mental health routinely during menopause care and to tailor treatment plans that address both the somatic and emotional aspects of the transition.