Healthier Life Through Menopause Podcast with Catherine Shelton | Nutrition & Lifestyle Tips for Women · Catherine Shelton | Health & Wellness Coach

62 \\ Menopause and Mental Health: Raising Awareness Of This Important Connection - Interview with Andrea Newton

·39 min·2 clips

Andrea says intrusive thoughts led her to plan to end her life while her GP missed the menopausal link.

Catherine opens by noting that they are recording in October, which is both Mental Health Awareness Month and Menopause Awareness Month. She introduces Andrea Newton, who is now focused on raising awareness about the link between menopause and mental health. A warning comes early, because Andrea’s story includes suicidal thoughts and a period when she hit rock bottom. Catherine says this is the kind of thing many doctors are not trained to spot. Andrea talks about how unwell she became and how frightening that period felt. She describes it as cold and empty, as if the life had been drained out of her. Her sister stayed with her that weekend after they realised she needed help. They decided that waiting for another GP appointment was not enough. Andrea paid for a private online appointment with a menopause expert. The specialist quickly recognised her symptoms, including how much her age mattered. Andrea also expected her GP to push back. Instead, her GP seemed relieved that a possible solution was already in place. HRT helped fast. Within weeks, she could think clearly again, process information, function normally, and even get ready to return to work. Andrea and Catherine then widen the conversation beyond treatment alone. Andrea says her mental health is now something she has to watch closely. She points to research suggesting that women who have struggled with PMDD, postnatal depression, or PMS with hormonal mood issues may be more likely to face mental health problems during perimenopause. The conversation also draws a line between hormonal depression and clinical depression. Catherine closes by reflecting on how closely menopause and mental health can be tied together, followed by thanks, a reminder to leave an honest review, and an invitation to share the show so more women can find it. The tone stays supportive and clear, without drifting into panic.

As heard by us

A grounded look at how menopause can affect mental health, centered on one hard-won story.

This episode frames menopause and mental health as a topic that is easy to miss and hard to dismiss. Catherine Shelton steers a clear conversation around Andrea Newton's personal story, including how perimenopause symptoms can be misunderstood until the right support arrives.

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Hear a menopause conversation that links mental health struggles to perimenopause.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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