European research tells us that women of the perimenopausal age are as much as 7 times more likely to have thoughts of suicide than women pre or post menopause. Why is this? In this episode I explain why the fluctuation in hormones during this period of our lives can impact both our mental health and brain health, and how those two factors can lead on to an increase in diagnosis of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders, as well as the difference between clinical depression and hormonal depression that is currently being investigated in research in the UK. It is important that we are aware that menopause is not all about hot flushes and night sweats and that we are informed and aware of the other impacts that declining hormones can have. Please do share this episode and help me get the word out to as many people as possible? Conversations can change and save lives.