What Brain Scans Actually Show: From PMDD to Menopause

What does a brain scan actually show us about PMDD — and does the same evidence tell us anything about what happens after menopause? In this episode, Dr Georgina Standen walks through the neuroimaging research, from how PMDD brains respond differently to hormones, to what a major new study reveals about the postmenopausal brain.In this episode:Why gonadal hormones appear necessary for the prefrontal cortex to function normally — and what that means for mood and concentrationHow the emotional brain, particularly the amygdala, responds differently across the menstrual cycleWhat's measurably different in the brains of women with PMDD compared to women without it — and why it correlates with symptom severityA landmark study of almost 125,000 women (11,000 with brain scans) on menopause, grey matter volume, and dementia riskWhy HRT didn't reduce these grey matter changes — and why the evidence on HRT and dementia risk is genuinely conflicting, not just unclearSirona Health Podcast is hosted by Dr Georgina Standen, GP and founder of Sirona Health (sironahealth.co.uk), a specialist women's health practice covering menopause, PMS/PMDD and teen health. Book a consultation at sironahealth.co.uk.This podcast is for general information only and doesn't replace individual medical advice — please speak to your GP or a specialist about your own symptoms. If you're struggling, please reach out for support.