(00:00:00) 32: Taming the Havoc Hormones Have on Your Mental Health with Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich
(00:02:45) Caroline’s journey to become a clinical neuropsychologist
(00:03:45) What are hormones and how do they affect the brain
(00:05:30) What happens when hormones cause havoc on our bodies
(00:10:20) Are the symptoms of hormone fluctuations the same in normal physiology and when things go wrong
(00:12:00) The impact of contraceptive pills on our mental health
(00:14:30) Do men experience similar effects from hormone fluctuations
(00:16:00) How does menopause impact women in the workplace
(00:19:00) What can women do to navigate the menopause transition more easily
(00:25:00) what can workplace do to support the employee
(00:26:00) how can a male manager support female employees
(00:28:32) how does hormones impact pregnant employees or new mum.
(00:33:15) what is the role of hormone replacement therapy
(00:36:45) what is the role of diet and supplements to improve brain health
(00:38:45) The evidence behind mindfulness and therapy to improve cognition
(00:46:00) Can Menopause have a positive impact on women
(00:48:30) Does hormone fluctuations impact neurodiverse individual differently
(00:53:30) Are individuals with mental illness more vulnerable to menopause
(00:55:40) What is the first step if you are concerned about hormones impacting your mental health
(00:58:10) What is Caroline’s one wellbeing practice

Hormonal fluctuations are a normal part of a woman’s life—but for many, they can wreak havoc on our mood, cognition, and overall mental wellbeing. Despite the profound impact hormones can have on our psychological state, the conversation is often overlooked or misunderstood in the workplace.

In this episode, we're joined by Caroline Gurvich to explore the powerful connection between hormones and mental health across the lifespan. From PMS to menopause, Caroline will unpack how our biology affects our brain function, emotional regulation, and mental resilience.

Caroline’s biography:

Caroline Gurvich is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at Monash University. She is also the Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia, Head of the “Cognition and Hormones Group" and Chair of the Victorian College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Caroline has over 120 publications that have contributed to a better understanding of cognition in mental health and mental illness.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions.

0:00 - Intro
02:45 - Caroline’s journey to become a clinical neuropsychologist
03:45 - What are hormones and how do they affect the brain
05:30 - What happened when hormones cause havoc on our bodies
10:20 - Are the symptoms of hormone fluctuations the same in normal physiology and when things go wrong
12:00 - The impact of contraceptive pills on our mental health
14:30 - Do men experience similar effects from hormone fluctuations
16:00 - How does menopause impact women in the workplace
19:00 - What can women do to navigate the menopause transition more easily
25:00 - what can workplace do to support the employee
26:00 - how can a male manager support female employees
28:32 - how does hormones impact pregnant employees or new mum.
33:15 - what is the role of hormone replacement therapy
36:45 - what is the role of diet and supplements to improve brain health
38:45 - The evidence behind mindfulness and therapy to improve cognition
46:00 - Can Menopause have a positive impact on women
48:30 - Does hormone fluctuations impact neurodiverse individual differently
53:30 - Are individuals with mental illness more vulnerable to menopause
55:40 - What is the first step if you...