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Recent discussions surrounding women's health center on the effects of perimenopause on mental health.

Defined as the transitional phase preceding menopause, perimenopause presents a myriad of challenges, especially in terms of its potential impact on psychological well-being.

According to insights gathered from healthcare professionals, perimenopause, typically commencing around the age of 40 but with variations, introduces a period of hormonal instability marked by fluctuating levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Dr. Anna Barbieri, a New York-based OB-GYN, aptly describes this phase as a "rollercoaster" of hormones, with implications extending beyond physical discomfort.

"It's generally a confusing time that catches many of us by surprise, in large part because of how wildly unpredictable symptoms of perimenopause can be," Barbieri told HuffPost.

"Hormonal changes, and the way symptoms show up, are anything but linear."

Symptoms such as irregular periods, insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats are commonly associated with perimenopause, but it's the mental health ramifications that draw increasing attention.

Dr. Juliet Nevins, a board-certified OB-GYN and clinical solutions medical director at CVS Health, pointed out the intricate relationship between estrogen levels and brain functions, including mood regulation, cognition and memory.

"There's increasing evidence that estrogen -- and estrogen-signaling pathways -- are involved in a wide range of brain functions, including mood, cognition and memory," Nevins said, according to Buzzfeed.

The decline in estrogen during perimenopause is suggested to directly affect mental health by disrupting neurotransmitter pathways.

This disruption may lead to a spectrum of mentally taxing symptoms, including depression, anxiety, irritability and cognitive fog.

Moreover, hormonal imbalances contribute to sleep disturbances, exacerbating the psychological toll by impacting executive function, emotional reactivity and decision-making abilities.

The role of progesterone and testosterone in mental health during perimenopause is also under scrutiny.

Progesterone lows are linked to decreased GABA activity, potentially intensifying anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Similarly, lower testosterone levels may trigger emotional fluctuations, further complicating the psychological landscape.

Despite these insights, understanding the impact of perimenopause on mental health remains incomplete, particularly concerning trans and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michelle Forcier, a clinician with Folx Health, said the scarcity of research on how perimenopause affects TGD individuals needs to be addressed to close the gap.