The latest episode of The Dr Louise Newson Podcast features Dr. Rachel Birch, who shares her personal journey through menopause, mental health struggles, and alcohol addiction. Despite being a doctor herself, Rachel was unprepared for the impact of menopause on her well-being. She discusses how anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties took over her life, leading her to seek help from her GP and a psychiatrist—neither of whom initially linked her symptoms to hormonal changes. As her condition worsened, she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, unaware of how deeply it would affect her life.
Rachel’s story highlights the urgent need for better menopause education within the medical field. Like many women, she was diagnosed with recurrent depression and prescribed higher doses of antidepressants instead of being assessed for hormonal imbalances. It took years before she realized that menopause was the missing piece of the puzzle. Once she started hormone replacement therapy (HRT), her mental health improved significantly, allowing her to address her alcohol dependency and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Her experience underscores the importance of self-advocacy and ensuring that menopause is recognized as a key factor in women’s mental health.
This powerful conversation also sheds light on the link between menopause and addiction. Rachel explains how alcohol became her escape, worsening her symptoms instead of helping them. Now in recovery for over three years, she emphasizes the importance of community, mindfulness, and self-compassion in the healing process. Her story is a reminder that no woman should have to suffer in silence—recognizing the signs, seeking the right support, and having open conversations about menopause and mental health can make all the difference.
Find more from Dr Louise Newson (UK, February 2025)
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIn the latest episode of my podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by Rachel.
— Dr Louise Newson (@drlouisenewson) February 4, 2025
Like me, Rachel is a doctor, and she agreed to come onto my podcast to share her very personal story of menopause, mental health and alcohol addiction. She speaks very candidly about her own experiences,… pic.twitter.com/EWffV2aQ8T
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsToday I will speaking at a conference for mental health professionals about hormones, mental health and addiction.
— Dr Louise Newson (@drlouisenewson) May 17, 2024
Many people do not realise that addictive behaviours can increase during the perimenopause and menopause. This is thought to be due to the powerful effect of the… pic.twitter.com/Nxya9rGaQP
Alcohol Awareness 