Like many others, I used to think that perimenopause referred only to physical symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats. But I’ve come to learn that, as in the puberty and post-partum stages, hormonal changes during perimenopause can cause significant mental health difficulties, including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, depressed mood, and body image issues. Many perimenopausal women are undergoing hormonal changes at the very same time their teenaged children are, and while caring for aging parents. All of this can have a profound effect on a woman’s day-to-day functioning and relationships.

In the past several years, as I’ve seen more and more perimenopausal women in my practice, I’ve committed myself to learning all I can about the mental health implications of perimenopause. I tailor evidence-based treatment strategies to fit with the symptoms many women experience and work closely with ob-gyns, internists, and psychiatrists to create a comprehensive treatment plan that targets both the physical and mental health changes of this time of life. See my video for more on CBT treatment of perimenopausal mental health.