Ask the Experts-June 2026

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Thank you for helping so many women. My question for you – is it normal to feel anxious or depressed during perimenopause? I am 46 and I am in perimenopause. Please let me know your thoughts.

Rachel

Dear Rachel,

The short answer is yes. Please remember – you deserve real support, not just a shrug.

During perimenopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels bounce around and that really can shake your mood, your sleep and how well you handle stress. It’s super common to feel more anxious, moody, irritable or even feel down during this time.

However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean you have to grit your teeth and push through it. You have options, like:

• Talking with your clinician, therapist or a counselor.
• Making some lifestyle shifts like getting better sleep, exercising regularly, eating nutritious food and engaging in stress management exercises.
• Working with your clinician on medical care which might include hormone therapy or other treatment options.

Feeling anxious or depressed isn’t something you have to “just live with” as part of menopause. Reaching out for help is a strong, smart move-not a weak one.