Ep. 557 “Your Hormones Are Hijacking Your Mood!” – The Shocking Way to Reduce Anxiety, Depression & Insomnia in Perimenopause

Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+

Cynthia Thurlow

Nutrition, Alternative Health, Life Sciences, Science, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 22 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome to this week’s Midlife Minute episode. We’re focusing on the importance of having good mental health today. Statistics show that women are experiencing increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even suicidal thoughts during midlife, yet the stigma around mental health remains surprisingly strong. Join me as I explore the science behind this, why it’s happening, and the importance of empowering yourself to demand better care. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The issues that contribute to the midlife mental health challenges women are experiencing How sleep disruptions in perimenopause increase anxiety, depression, and irritability The metabolic and endocrine factors that can compound mood instability in midlife Why perimenopause is a neurological as well as reproductive transition The evidence-based benefits of HRT for supporting mental health The role of estrogen in brain function and emotional regulation Why HRT is especially important for women experiencing abrupt or early menopause Some practical guidance for using HRT to support mental health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website. Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow. Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement Line References: Effects of Estradiol Withdrawal on Mood in Women With Past Perimenopausal Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2298235) Efficacy of Estradiol in Perimenopausal Depression: So Much Promise and So Few Answers (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22391) Effects of Hormone Therapy on Cognition and Mood (https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(14)00178-2/fulltext) Does Menopause Hormone Therapy Improve Symptoms of Depression? Findings From a Specialized Menopause Clinic A Meta-analysis of the Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy upon Depressed Mood (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453096000340?via%3Dihub) The Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Cognition and Mood (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.14856)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Everyday Wellness Podcast.
0:03.7	I'm your host, nurse practitioner, Cynthia Thurlow.
0:07.4	This podcast is designed to educate, empower, and inspire you to achieve your health and wellness goals.
0:13.9	My goal and intent is to provide you with the best content and conversations from leaders in the health and wellness industry each week and impact
0:22.1	over a million lives.
0:29.1	This is the start of a new Thursday series called The Midlife Minute that is really designed
0:36.5	to address listeners questions in a little bit longer
0:40.3	length of time and or deeper dive into topics. Ideally, we're going to keep these podcasts under
0:47.4	20 minutes. Occasionally, we may go over to 30, but I'm trying to reinforce some key concepts and ensure that I'm addressing listeners' questions
0:58.5	in a way that's really helpful.
1:00.5	So the questions that I will be addressing topics are going to be items that I'm being asked over and over and over again.
1:06.6	I hope you enjoy this series.
1:08.1	Please share with your friends.
1:09.8	And as you know, you can always send your questions to support at cynthiatherlo.com.
1:15.4	I appreciate each and every listener.
1:19.8	We are back for this week's version of the Midlife Minute.
1:24.1	And today I want to talk and unpack a really important topic and that's mental health.
1:29.3	I think that when we look at the statistics of women that experiencing, that experience an uptick
1:37.6	and anxiety, depression, insomnia and even suicidal ideation, it's important to bring greater
1:43.6	awareness to this because I still feel like
1:46.2	even in this day and age, when we do a really good job of talking about mental health issues,
1:50.3	there's still a tremendous amount of stigma, although there should not be. And so because I've
	...

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