Women’s mental health in mid-life

Many of the folks in my practice are women in mid-life who are going through hormonal transitions and related mood changes.  This could include:   

• Perimenopause and menopause 

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) 

• Mood changes tied to menstrual cycles 

These women often come to me for another concern, such as ADHD or insomnia, and find it valuable that I am also able to think about what role hormones may be playing in exacerbating or causing their symptoms.

Over the past several years, more research has become available and previous research has been better understood regarding the risks associated with insufficient hormones in women.  The impacts can include a variety of mental health issues — including brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, trouble concentrating, and difficulty regulating emotions — as well as issues such as osteoporosis and increased cardiovascular risks. 

I work with many women in my practice to explore the potential role that hormones may be playing in their mental and/or physical health — including lab testing when indicated — and in many cases, I prescribe one or multiple hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. I work in partnership with these women to explore their symptoms and the often multifaceted causes and to come up with the best individualized treatment plan for each person.