The Menstrual Brain with Dr Sophie Behrman
About this episode
Dr. Sophie Behrman discusses the impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal fluctuations on mental health.
Dr Sophie Behrman is a is a general adult psychiatrist and works in a community mental health team in Oxford. She’s set up an NHS menopause and menstrual disorders clinic, open to women who fit a certain criteria. She’s also edited a book called “Menopause, Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health” which is published by Cambridge University Press in June 2026. In the last series Sophie and I talked about the menopause and its impact on a woman’s brain and in this one we are talking about how the menstrual cycle, and the fluctuation of hormones can affect us physiologically. We also discuss PMS (premenstrual syndome); PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, what was known as PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome); PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), and endometriosis. Some useful links: Sophie’s book . The International Association of Premenstrual Disorders . The PMDD Project . If you'd like to listen to this episode, past or future ones, ad free then consider becoming a Substacker: https://pocketannalisa.substack.com/ . From £5 a month or £50 (2025 rates) a year you'll get access to all new podcasts as soon as they are available and before general release…
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