Helen Mathews

Cohorts: 40s-50s

Condition: Perimenopausal mood disorders

Snapshot

Name: Helen Matthews
Age range: 50
Life stage: Perimenopausal, transitioning toward menopause, experiencing fluctuating hormones and mood changes
Location: Commuter belt outside London (e.g. St Albans or Guildford)
Occupation: Senior operations manager at a large retail brand, long hours, high pressure, hybrid working
Relationship and family context: Married with two teenage children (15 and 17); often snappy or withdrawn at home due to exhaustion and irritability; feels distant from her husband and guilty about it

Health Context

Relevant condition(s): Perimenopausal mood disorder due to fluctuating hormone levels (oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone)
Density of condition(s): Common — mood change affects ~95% of women in perimenopause (Newson Health data)
Key symptoms experienced: Anxiety, irritability, tearfulness, emotional overwhelm, poor sleep, appetite changes (comfort eating), low confidence, indecision, poor concentration, occasional palpitations
Severity and duration: Moderate to severe; ongoing for 15 months, worsening over the past four months
Diagnosed or suspected: Diagnosed with “clinical depression” by GP and prescribed antidepressants, but suspects hormonal imbalance instead
Current treatments or management: Low-dose antidepressant, caffeine reliance, glass of wine in evenings, minimal exercise, doesn’t spend time in nature, hasnʼt yet accessed bioidentical HRT
Comorbidities or related factors: Sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, marital tension, lack of self-esteem, time constraints due to commuting

Triggers and barriers

Main triggers that worsen symptoms: Sleep deprivation, alcohol, high-pressure work environment, lack of daylight exposure, limited downtime
Barriers to seeking care: Worried it is “just midlife stress”; GP dismissive or reluctant to prescribe HRT; misinformation online; doesnʼt know difference between synthetic and body-identical hormones
Information gaps and misconceptions: Thinks HRT is risky or outdated; unaware testosterone can play a role in mood and energy; conflates perimenopausal anxiety with depression
Emotional drivers and concerns: Feels trapped, misunderstood, and disconnected from her former self; fears sheʼs becoming “difficult” or “unlikeable”; guilt over being short-tempered with family

Goals and needs

Primary health goals: Feel emotionally stable again, regain energy and focus, find a treatment that works beyond antidepressants
Secondary lifestyle goals: Reconnect with husband and teenage kids, improve confidence at work, sleep better, and enjoy small pleasures again
What “better” looks like to them: Feeling calm, competent, and optimistic; laughing easily; managing stress without emotional crashes; a balanced home life

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