Do mood swings in relationships sometimes make you feel confused or far from your partner? One moment everything looks fine, and next moment small things turn into big argument.
Many couples face this kind of emotional change but don’t always understand why it happen.
Mood instability are not only about being angry or sad, they are small signals from mind and body that something need little attention.
In this blog, we will tell you why mood swings happen in relationships, how they affect your bonding, and seven simple ways to deal with them calmly. By end, you will understand how to manage these changes and keep your relationship more peaceful and loving.
Also read: Turmeric milk benefits during periods
What Are Mood Swings in Relationships?
Mood swings in relationships means sudden change in feeling or behaviour between partners. One minute you may feel happy and loving, and next minute you feel upset, angry, or silent for no big reason.
It happens to many people, and it is not always a bad thing. Every person has different emotions, and sometimes they just come out without control.
In relationships, these changes can come from many things. Tiredness, hormones, work pressure, stress or even small misunderstanding. Sometimes, it is just because one person had tough day but forget to express it. Both men and women can have mood swings, it is not limited to one side only.
You may even think, “I have massive mood swings in my relationship, is something wrong with me?”
The answer is mostly no.
Mood swings are part of human life. But learning how to understand and handle them in right way can make relationship stronger and more peaceful.
Why This Mood Swing in Relationships happens
Many times, you may ask yourself, why this mood swing in relationships happens so often? The answer is not very specific. Our emotions are affected by body, mind, and situation around us. Sometimes it is small issue that grows big because we are already tired or stressed.
For women, hormonal changes are one big reason. Before period or during ovulation, mood can shift suddenly, happy one moment and irritated next.
For men too, stress, pressure or even small failure at work can make them quiet or angry. Both sides go through emotional waves, just in different ways.
Some common reasons for mood swings in relationships include:
- Hormonal changes, especially before or during menstruation.
- Work stress or financial pressure that stay in mind.
- Lack of proper rest or poor sleep, making emotions harder to control.
- Unspoken feelings that build up over time.
- High expectations from partner that sometimes lead to disappointment.
When these small things come together, emotions can burst suddenly. One person may feel hurt, another may feel ignored, and both stop understanding each other.
But remember, having mood swing is not wrong. It is body’s small signal saying something is unbalanced. Maybe you need peace, or little more connection with your partner.
Once you see this clearly, you can deal with emotions instead of fighting with them.
How to Deal with Mood Swings in a Relationship
1. Learn to stay calm when emotions rise
We know it is not easy to stay calm when argument starts, but taking few deep breaths can save many hurt words. When your partner’s mood changes suddenly, try not to react instantly. Give few minutes to let emotions settle.
You can even say softly, “I understand you are upset; we can talk in a while.” This shows maturity and patience.
You will notice that silence in such moment often brings peace faster than reaction.
2. Listen without interrupting or judging
Sometimes, you don’t have to solve the problem, only to listen. When your partner feels heard, half of the fight already ends. Try to keep your phone away, look at them, and just listen with heart.
We know it can be hard to not defend yourself, but once they finish talking, you will see they also calm down. Listening is not weakness; it is one of the strongest tools in relationship communication.
3. Express feelings gently, not harshly
When you speak, choose words that describe your feelings, not your partner’s mistakes.
Say “I feel hurt when you ignore me” instead of “You always ignore me.”
This small change in sentence keeps communication soft and respectful. We have seen that when words are kind, even a harsh truth is accepted easily.
You can express everything, only tone should carry care.
4. Take small breaks when needed
If things feel too heated, it is okay to take short break. Sometimes distance for few minutes gives mind time to think clearly.
You can walk, drink water, or sit in quiet corner till emotions settle. You don’t have to solve every issue immediately.
We often suggest couples to come back after cooling down. It is not running away; it is giving relationship small breathing space.
Also read: Best ways to support your partner during periods
5. Understand your own triggers
Many times, we blame others for our mood when truth is, something inside us is already tired or stressed. Try to notice your triggers. Is it lack of sleep, work pressure, or hormonal change?
Once you know what disturbs your mood, you can explain it better to your partner. It builds understanding instead of confusion.
We recommend keeping small note in diary to track your moods, it really helps in long run.
6. Support each other through stressful times
When life gets stressful, small things start to feel big. That’s when both of you need extra care and support. Encourage your partner, give hugs, and remind them you are on same team.
We always say, small gestures like making cup of tea or listening quietly can heal big fights.
Emotional support builds trust, and trust controls many mood swings naturally.
7. Build healthy routine together
Good food, sleep, and daily routine have big effect on emotions. Try to eat on time, sleep enough, and do small activities together like evening walk or cooking.
These small things make big difference in how your moods behave. We have seen that when couples follow healthy habits together, relationship becomes more balanced.
So, treat your emotional health same as physical health, it keeps love calm and steady.
Also read: Stress and Periods: Are they related?
Problems in Relationships Due to Mood Swings
Mood swings can quietly create distance between two people who once understood each other so well. When emotions keep changing, it becomes harder to trust how the other person will react. Small talks start to feel heavy, and silence begins to grow longer.
One day you feel loved, and next day you feel ignored or unwanted, which makes heart confused. Over time, these ups and downs can make one or both partners emotionally tired.
We have seen that when such imbalance continues without talking, it leads to more misunderstandings and less connection.
The real problem is not mood swing itself, but not noticing it early. When both partners accept it and try to manage together, the relationship again becomes more peaceful.
Male Mood Swings in Relationships
Many people think only women have mood changes, but that is not true. Men also face mood swings, only they show it in different ways. Sometimes they become quiet, sometimes angry or distant, and often they do not even realize what is happening inside them.
For men, mood swings usually come from mental pressure. Work stress, money problems, family expectations or feeling of failure can affect their emotions deeply.
Some common signs of male mood swings in relationships are:
- Sudden irritation or anger without clear reason
- Not talking much or avoiding conversation
- Losing interest in activities or intimacy
- Feeling restless or worried often
When such behaviour happens, it is easy for partner to feel hurt or confused.
The best way to deal with male mood swings is with calmness and patience. We highly suggest you to encourage open talk, give them space when needed, and show that you are there to listen without judging.
Please remember that slowly, emotional comfort builds trust, and relationship becomes more balanced.
When Do Girls Have Mood Swings in Relationships
Many girls go through mood swings at different times, and it is not something to feel bad or ashamed about. These emotional changes are mostly connected with the body’s natural cycle.
During PMS or near period days, hormones like estrogen and progesterone keep changing, and that directly affects mood. You may feel extra emotional, get irritated fast, or sometimes cry without even knowing why.
At times, stress from office, study pressure, or even small things at home make it stronger. It does not mean you are too emotional, it only means your body and mind are asking for little rest and care.
We always tell women, when you start noticing such mood patterns, talk about it with your partner. When they understand what you are feeling, it becomes much easier for them to support you and keep the relationship happy and understanding.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Mood swings in relationships are part of being human. What truly matters is how you both handle them together. Understanding, patience, and simple daily care can turn emotional ups and downs into moments of learning.
When you give space, listen with heart, and talk with honesty, love becomes stronger each time.
We would love to know your thoughts. Have you or your partner faced mood swings in your relationship? Share your experience in the comments below
References:
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Bowen, R., et al. (2017). Mood instability is a precursor of relationship and marital problems: Evidence from British surveys. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 8, Article 276. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00276
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Alisbh. (2025, January 22). How mood disorders affect relationships. Alisbh Blog. https://www.alisbh.com/blog/how-mood-disorders-affect-relationships/
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Marriage.com (2024, September 26). 13 practical ways to deal with mood swings in a relationship. https://www.marriage.com/advice/mental-health/how-to-deal-with-mood-swings-in-a-relationship/
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Cleveland Clinic. (2025, September 15). Mood swings: What they are & causes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/mood-swings
2 comments
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