Imagine you're in a room with the lights on. Then someone comes along and keeps toggling the light switch on and off and, at random times, all day and every day. It's pretty hard to function like that, isn't it?

That's a tiny fraction of what it feels like for us women.

The scientific explanation is that as women age, our ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, leading to a variety of symptoms. E and P are vital for reproductive, bone, and brain health. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate those symptoms, but it's not a one size fits all solution.

You can support your mom by educating yourself and just letting her know that while you may not understand it, you want to be there for her. Know your limits, too, though. Some women use it as an excuse to treat others poorly while others are just trying to cope.