Why Mood Swings Are No Joke (But Also Kind of Funny)

Menopause, Mood Swings & Relationships

One minute you’re fine. The next you’re furious because someone put the cutlery in the “wrong” drawer. If this sounds like you, welcome to menopause and relationships — where hormones stir up emotions in ways that can surprise even the most level-headed among us.

And with October being Menopause Awareness Month, there’s no better time to shine a light on how these changes don’t just affect us as individuals, but also ripple out into our closest connections.

The Relationship Ripple Effect

Menopause doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It affects:

• Partners: Communication, patience, and intimacy can take a hit.
• Kids: Mood swings plus teenagers? Enough said.
• Friends & colleagues: Social batteries drain quicker, misunderstandings happen faster.

This isn’t about weakness — it’s about hormones. And knowing this makes it easier to extend compassion (to ourselves and others).

How to Navigate the Mood Swing Maze

1. Name It, Don’t Shame It
   A simple “I’m having a hormone moment” can diffuse tension instantly.
2. Pause Before You React
   Sometimes stepping away (and breathing) is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones.
3. Laugh About It
   Humour doesn’t erase the challenges, but it makes them easier to live with.
4. Talk Openly
   Conversations about menopause deepen relationships. Silence does the opposite.

The Upside (Yes, There Is One)

Menopause can actually strengthen bonds. When we stop hiding and start talking, we give others the chance to support us — and to know the real us, hormones and all.

Final Thoughts

Mood swings are not a personal failing. They’re part of the hormonal rollercoaster of menopause. But they don’t have to damage relationships.

Awareness, honesty, and humour are powerful tools. So next time you snap at your partner, roll your eyes at your teenager, or lose patience at work, remember: it’s not you, it’s your hormones — and it’s okay to laugh about it later.

With love (and patience, mostly),

Trudi 💕