Ah, menopause. The grand finale of our reproductive years. It's like puberty in reverse,

only with more hot flashes, random emotional breakdowns, and a strong desire to punch people

who chew too loudly. As a psychologist, I've had countless women sit on my

couch, fanning themselves dramatically asking, is it just me or am I actually losing my mind?

And I'm here to tell you, it's not just you. Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host,

Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show,

I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Menopause isn't just about physical changes. It's a hormonal rollercoaster that can take your mental health along for the ride. But don't worry, I'm here to explain why this happens, how it affects your brain, and what you

can do about it. All we'll try to keep a sense of humor, because if we don't laugh, we'll cry,

and we already do enough of that. Let's talk hormones. Menopause is

essentially a hormonal heist where estrogen and progesterone sneak out in the middle of the night,

leaving behind mood swings, brain fog, and sleep problems. These hormones aren't just for baby making. They also play a key

role in brain function, mood regulation, and cognitive sharpness. So when they start fluctuating

and eventually plummet, your brain starts acting like a Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping.

So let's talk about estrogen and mood.

Estrogen has a VIP pass to your brain's serotonin and dopamine systems, your feel-good neurotransmitters.

Less estrogen means your brain produces less serotonin, which can lead to depression, anxiety,

and irritability.

Or, as I sometimes like to call it, why did this commercial about kittens make me sob syndrome?

Let's also talk about progesterone and mood and anxiety. This hormone is known

for its calming effect, like a warm cup of chamomile tea for your brain. When it dips, anxiety and

stress can skyrocket. Suddenly small things like forgetting where you put your keys

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