Episode Details

Have you found yourself feeling more anxious, irritable, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself and wondered whether it is stress, parenting, or something deeper? For many women, mental health changes can be some of the earliest signs of perimenopause, often appearing before physical symptoms.

In this episode, I am talking to reproductive psychiatrist Dr Drew Myers about the connection between hormones and mental health during perimenopause. We discuss how hormonal fluctuations affect mood, anxiety, sleep, fertility, and parenting, along with practical ways women can better understand and support themselves during this stage of life.

Dr Drew and I talk about:

• What perimenopause, menopause, premenopause, and postmenopause actually mean
• Why mental health symptoms can appear before physical symptoms during perimenopause
• How fluctuating estrogen levels influence mood, anxiety, emotional regulation, and sleep
• Common physical symptoms of perimenopause beyond hot flashes
• How strength training, nutrition, protein intake, fibre, and community support can help during perimenopause
• Fertility considerations for women navigating perimenopause while hoping to grow their families
• Why women are increasingly experiencing postpartum and perimenopause close together
• When hormone therapy may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider
• Why women do not need to simply white knuckle their way through perimenopause

Dr Drew Myers is a reproductive psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health across the lifespan, including pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. She is an Honors College graduate of the University of South Carolina and received her M.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville. Residency trained at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt, she takes a holistic approach to care, integrating psychotherapy, lifestyle interventions, and medication. Dr Drew is also a Clinical Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and contributes to national efforts in perinatal mental health education through research publications and presentations.

Links

Say hi to Dr Drew Myers on Instagram

Follower Dr Drew’s colleague Dr Harita Raja on Instagram

Learn more about Bethesda Women's Mental Health

Explore resources from The Menopause Society

Come say hi to me on Instagram

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