Some mental health conditions are more common in women, and some are linked to times of hormonal change: around periods, during and after pregnancy, and during the menopause transition (NIMH: women and mental health). Knowing the signs helps you get support early.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or ending your life, get help now. See When to get help.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or ending your life, get help now. See When to get help.
Conditions linked to hormonal change
The US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) highlights three (NIMH: women and mental health):
- depression during or after pregnancy (perinatal depression)
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) around the time of a period
- depression during the menopause transition (perimenopausal depression)
The US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) highlights three (NIMH: women and mental health):
- depression during or after pregnancy (perinatal depression)
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) around the time of a period
- depression during the menopause transition (perimenopausal depression)
Around your period
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause mood swings, feeling depressed or irritable, and feeling upset, anxious or emotional. A small number of women have a more severe form called PMDD (NHS: premenstrual syndrome).
See a GP if lifestyle changes haven't helped or your symptoms are affecting your daily life (NHS: premenstrual syndrome).
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause mood swings, feeling depressed or irritable, and feeling upset, anxious or emotional. A small number of women have a more severe form called PMDD (NHS: premenstrual syndrome).
See a GP if lifestyle changes haven't helped or your symptoms are affecting your daily life (NHS: premenstrual syndrome).
During and after pregnancy
Postnatal depression is a common condition that can happen after having a baby. Symptoms can start during pregnancy, soon after birth, or up to a year after the baby is born. They include low mood, feeling hopeless or guilty, anxiety, trouble sleeping and difficulty bonding with your baby (NHS: postnatal depression).
Feeling low for a short time after birth (the "baby blues") is common and usually goes away within 2 weeks. If your feelings last longer, get worse or make it hard to cope, get help (NHS: postnatal depression). It's important to get help even if you only have some of the signs.
Postnatal depression is a common condition that can happen after having a baby. Symptoms can start during pregnancy, soon after birth, or up to a year after the baby is born. They include low mood, feeling hopeless or guilty, anxiety, trouble sleeping and difficulty bonding with your baby (NHS: postnatal depression).
Feeling low for a short time after birth (the "baby blues") is common and usually goes away within 2 weeks. If your feelings last longer, get worse or make it hard to cope, get help (NHS: postnatal depression). It's important to get help even if you only have some of the signs.
Menopause and perimenopause
Menopause and perimenopause can bring mood swings, low mood or depression, and problems with memory or concentration. These may feel worse if you're not sleeping well (NHS: menopause symptoms). Early advice from a GP can help reduce the effects on your health, relationships and work.
Menopause and perimenopause can bring mood swings, low mood or depression, and problems with memory or concentration. These may feel worse if you're not sleeping well (NHS: menopause symptoms). Early advice from a GP can help reduce the effects on your health, relationships and work.
Warning signs to look out for
NIMH lists signs that may mean you need support, including (NIMH: women and mental health):
- persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- noticeable changes in mood, energy or appetite
- sleeping too little or too much
- excessive fear or worry
- anger or irritability
- withdrawing from other people
- aches, headaches or digestive problems without a clear cause
- thoughts of death or suicide
NIMH lists signs that may mean you need support, including (NIMH: women and mental health):
- persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
- noticeable changes in mood, energy or appetite
- sleeping too little or too much
- excessive fear or worry
- anger or irritability
- withdrawing from other people
- aches, headaches or digestive problems without a clear cause
- thoughts of death or suicide
Getting support
Help works, but many people don't get it. The World Health Organization (WHO) says only about a third of people with depression receive formal mental health care (WHO: mental disorders).
Talking to a GP, midwife or health visitor is a good first step. Small daily habits can also help, such as staying connected with people, being active and paying attention to the present moment (NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing).
Help works, but many people don't get it. The World Health Organization (WHO) says only about a third of people with depression receive formal mental health care (WHO: mental disorders).
Talking to a GP, midwife or health visitor is a good first step. Small daily habits can also help, such as staying connected with people, being active and paying attention to the present moment (NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing).
When to get help
Get help now if
You're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or of ending your life, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe. Contact emergency services or a local crisis line straight away (NHS: postnatal depression; NIMH: women and mental health).
You're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or of ending your life, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe. Contact emergency services or a local crisis line straight away (NHS: postnatal depression; NIMH: women and mental health).
See a GP, midwife or health visitor if
- you think you might have postnatal depression (NHS: postnatal depression)
- premenstrual symptoms are affecting your daily life (NHS: premenstrual syndrome)
- you think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know your options (NHS: menopause symptoms)
- you've had symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks (NHS: symptoms of depression)
- you think you might have postnatal depression (NHS: postnatal depression)
- premenstrual symptoms are affecting your daily life (NHS: premenstrual syndrome)
- you think you have symptoms of menopause or perimenopause and want to know your options (NHS: menopause symptoms)
- you've had symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks (NHS: symptoms of depression)
The bottom line
Hormonal changes around periods, pregnancy and menopause can affect mental health, and these conditions are common and treatable. Notice the warning signs, talk to a GP, midwife or health visitor early, and get urgent help if you ever feel unable to keep yourself or your baby safe.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Hormonal changes around periods, pregnancy and menopause can affect mental health, and these conditions are common and treatable. Notice the warning signs, talk to a GP, midwife or health visitor early, and get urgent help if you ever feel unable to keep yourself or your baby safe.
Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.
Sources
- Women and Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, last reviewed April 2024
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), NHS, last reviewed 18 June 2024
- Postnatal depression, NHS, last reviewed 18 March 2026
- Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, NHS, last reviewed 19 May 2026
- Mental disorders, World Health Organization fact sheet, 11 September 2026
- 5 steps to mental wellbeing, NHS, last reviewed 16 December 2022
- Symptoms of depression in adults, NHS, last reviewed 5 July 2023
- Women and Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, last reviewed April 2024
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), NHS, last reviewed 18 June 2024
- Postnatal depression, NHS, last reviewed 18 March 2026
- Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, NHS, last reviewed 19 May 2026
- Mental disorders, World Health Organization fact sheet, 11 September 2026
- 5 steps to mental wellbeing, NHS, last reviewed 16 December 2022
- Symptoms of depression in adults, NHS, last reviewed 5 July 2023
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