Learn about menopause and mental health from clinical psychologist Dr. Allie Sharma on the Fempower Health Podcast.

Episode Summary

While menopause is assumed to come with hot flashes and menstrual changes, there are also mental effects of menopause that are less commonly discussed. In this episode, Dr. Allie Sharma—a clinical psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health—discusses the impacts of perimenopause and menopause on mood and the brain. She emphasizes the need for education and integrated care models for women navigating this significant life transition and shares her thoughts on how this can be done.

Listen as we discuss the relationship between hormonal changes, depression/anxiety, and navigating the healthcare system during menopause. Dr. Sharma also offers expert insights on menopause mental health symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and advocating for your health at this phase of life.

Discussion Topics

• The differences between perimenopause and menopause
• The relationship between menopause and mental health issues 
• How hormonal changes can result in mental health symptoms
• Why women are at higher risk for depression and anxiety during perimenopause
• The role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in managing menopause symptoms
• How perimenopause can affect relationships and family dynamics
• Common sexual health issues during menopause and how they can be addressed
• Strategies to help you advocate for your health effectively
• How family members can better support women during perimenopause and menopause

“If you're experiencing new onset anxiety or depression in your forties, it's crucial to consider hormonal changes as a potential cause and seek appropriate treatment.” Dr. Allie Sharma

Related to this episode:

• Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter

• Resources and episodes on Mental Health

• Learn more about Dr. Allie Sharma and follow her on Instagram
• Referenced in the Episode: CNN Article on Perimenopause and Mental Health 
• Reference in the Episode: Penn Ovarian Aging Study (POAS)

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Guest Bio

Dr. Sonali (Allie) Sharma, MD, MSc is a Cornell trained and board certified adult psychiatrist, behavioral health strategist, and mental health innovator. Today she is an actively practicing psychiatrist and serves as the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Being Health, a psychiatrist-founded practice leveraging the best of psychiatry, novel treatments, psychotherapy, functional medicine and wellness services to help people improve their mental health.

Before co-founding Being Health, Dr. Sharma held various clinical positions, including Emergency Psychiatry at Columbia University, Student Mental Health at Columbia University’s health science campus, and supporting mental health of the homeless population across shelters in New York City, and has worked strategically across systems of care both globally and locally in New York City. Currently, Dr. Sharma is a Women’s Health Advisor for Evernow, a menopause care company, and a Program Advisor for Kenneth Cole’s Mental Health Coalition. 

Dr. Sharma was also the co-host and creator of the the Model Mentality podcast, and was an Associate Medical Director for Cityblock, program building for the Medicaid population in NYC.

Dr. Sharma is a mother of two and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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