'Perimenopause rage' turned me into a 'mad mom' (NYPost, Jun 2026)

Tier 2: Professional organization or credentialed expert guidance
Publisher: New York Post · Published: August 11, 2026 · Accessed: August 11, 2026

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Susan Proctor, now 62, describes waking up angry for no reason during the transition: 'I would wake up angry for no reason at all. My kids would be like, OK, mom's angry, let's all run. Let's dodge her bullets.'
Expert Michelle Sands: 'For many, the first signs are emotional and neurological. Estrogen and progesterone directly affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA, so when hormone fluctuations begin, women can suddenly feel emotionally unlike themselves.'
Proctor on the dismissal landmine: 'The last thing you want to hear from your husband is, Oh, it must be your hormones. Like, I'm already mad, I will bark and bite you.'
Sands: women are frequently prescribed antidepressants, sleep medications or anti-anxiety drugs before anyone evaluates whether fluctuating hormones could be contributing; one survey found roughly 70% of women reported menopause symptoms contributed to marital strain or breakdown.