Joining Dr Louise this week is Louise Mulley, who shares her experience of anxiety and menopause.

Louise shares the importance of speaking openly about menopause and mental health, and how a conversation with a close friend helped her recognise her symptoms and find the right support and treatment.

She also shares her top three tips on helping friends or loved ones who may be struggling with their mental health during perimenopause and menopause:

1. Help your friend unburden: ask them ‘would you like to talk to me about it?’. Make it clear they can talk to you with no judgement and in confidence.
2. Share your own menopause story to encourage your friend to open up about what they may be going through.
3. Keep an open mind: if you’re a woman of menopausal age and experiencing mood changes, consider that it might be your hormones.

For more information on Newson Health, click here.