Ever experienced emotional turbulence you couldn't explain or control? In this raw and revealing episode, I sit down with renowned mental health expert Dr. Juliana Hauser to uncover the profound neurological shifts occurring in our brains during perimenopause and menopause. If you've ever thought "I don't feel like myself anymore" or wondered why your emotional resilience has vanished, this conversation will be your lifeline.
Dr. Hauser courageously dismantles the persistent silence surrounding midlife mental health, illuminating how our changing hormones directly impact our mood regulation, anxiety levels, and even suicidal thoughts (which increase sevenfold during perimenopause). I share my own mental health breakdown that nearly destroyed my marriage and had me unable to get out of bed—all while no healthcare provider connected the dots to my hormonal changes. This isn't just another menopause episode; it's the mental health conversation that might save your life or the life of someone you love.
Dr. Juliana Hauser has a PhD in Counseling Education, is a TEDx speaker and the author of A New Position on Sex: A Guide to Greater Sexual Confidence, Pleasure, and Authenticity, coming September 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- Your "mood swings" aren't character flaws but biological changes in how estrogen regulates your emotions and resilience
- Women are seven times more likely to have suicidal thoughts during perimenopause, yet most doctors never mention this
- Why it's nearly impossible to tell which midlife struggles are hormonal and which are circumstantial and why that distinction matters for treatment
- How to create your mental health safety net and the practical steps Dr. Hauser recommends for weathering the storm
- The freedom and self-acceptance waiting on the other side of this transition
Juliana Says: You’re Not Too F***ing Old! to find absolute joy and pleasure in life again!
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Unedited AI Transcript Here
CONNECT WITH DR. JULIANA HAUSER:
Take Dr. Juliana’s women’s health survey HERE for her research
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