Professor Jayashri Kulkarni is one of Australia's leaders in the research and treatment of menopausal depression. I believe this episode, is the most important episode I have been able to bring to my Dear Menopause audience.Professor Kulkarni speaks about mental health and the part women's hormones play in this area, in a way that makes the topic easy to understand and relatable.We discuss why the fluctuation of hormones during the menopausal transition has such a significant impact on mental health, how to recognise if you are being impacted by this and what can be done to support you during this time.We discuss the grief that menopause can trigger for some women, the significant impact that menopausal depression can have on careers and relationships and how medical experts need to work together to provide more holistic treatment plans for women. Professor Kulkarni's top tip:Women need to back themselves when it comes to their mental health. When they know intuitively that they are not OK and that they need help, to have the courage to keep asking for help, to keep pushing back until they are heard and taken seriously. You know yourself better than anyone. Have faith that you know what's right for you.Where to find Professor Kulkarni:Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc)Thank you for listening to my show! Join the conversation on Instagram