PMDD, Postpartum, Perimenopause: Dr. Stacy Cohen Reveals What Doctors Miss | SHE MD

Psychiatrist Dr. Stacy Cohen joins Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney on the SHE MD Podcast to discuss the intersection of hormones and women’s emotional health across various life stages. The conversation focuses on how hormonal fluctuations accompanying Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), the postpartum period, perimenopause, and menopause influence neurological and hormonal states, rather than simply presenting as mood disorders.

Dr. Cohen explains the effects of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone on mood, sleep quality, libido, and cognition. The discussion addresses the role of low-dose hormone supplementation as a potential intervention, clarifies the appropriate necessity and risks associated with SSRI use without concurrent psychiatric oversight, and reviews safe methods for tapering or adjusting medications. Listeners receive practical guidance regarding hormone therapy, supplements, and lifestyle modifications for optimizing mental health.