Episode Details
Podcast: The Menopause Hour with Winona
Episode Number: 43
Episode Title: Episode #43: Hormonal Mood Swings & Brain Fog Explained
Host: Madi Baldwin
Featured Physician: Dr. Cathleen Brown
Guest: Dr. Amy Moon
Published Date: July 29, 2026
Episode Duration: 52 min 41 sec
Format: Doctor Dialogue
Main Topics: Mood Swings, Brain Fog, Hormone Balance
About The Menopause Hour with Winona Podcast
The Menopause Hour with Winona is a health and wellness podcast hosted by Winona's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Green, and Medical Director, Dr. Cathleen Brown. The show addresses common questions about perimenopause and menopause, combining medical expertise with straightforward discussions of symptoms, treatment options, and the science behind the menopause transition.
Episodes include live Q&A sessions, doctor-led conversations, and patient stories. In its live Q&A format, women from Winona's community submitted questions directly to the hosts, creating practical discussions shaped by the concerns women commonly brought to their own doctors.
Visit The Menopause Hour on Buzzsprout.
About This Episode
In this Doctor Dialogue, Dr. Cathleen Brown sat down with gynecologist Dr. Amy Moon of Carmel, Indiana to discuss why mood swings and brain fog show up during perimenopause and why they're so often misread. The two doctors expanded on how hormonal fluctuations lower resilience and affect focus, and why standard treatments like antidepressants or ADHD medications often fall short when the root issue is hormonal.
Listeners asked about testosterone and libido, belly fat and cortisol, and iron deficiency, and Dr. Brown and Dr. Moon answered with practical, doctor-backed guidance.
RSVP here to join our next Doctor's Dialogue.
Topics Covered
Why mood swings are often mistaken for stress, work pressure, or life changes
How hormonal fluctuations lower emotional resilience during perimenopause
Limitations of antidepressants when the root cause is hormonal
Brain fog and its impact on memory, focus, and work performance
Misdiagnosis of brain fog as ADHD and the risks of stimulant medications
The role of cortisol and sleep quality in mood and weight changes
Testosterone's effect on mood and libido during perimenopause
DHEA as a testosterone-support option available through Winona
Nutrition strategies for managing menobelly, including protein and fiber intake
Combining GLP-1 medications with hormone therapy for weight loss
Iron deficiency, B12 levels, and anemia screening during perimenopause
Practical strategies for managing emotional reactions in the moment
