162 How the menopause affects the brain, with Dr Ben Webb

Ben is a neuroscientist, psychology lecturer, speaker and author specialising in how the brain works.

In fact, he's spent 20 years researching the brain and has a special interest is how the brain changes during the perimenopause and menopause stages of life.

Until fairly recently, the menopause has not been discussed widely, but that's certainly changing, thanks to some high-profile celebrities like Davina McCall campaigning for better education and access to HRT.

So my conversation with Ben feels quite timely. Ben explains how – contrary to popular belief - the menopause is a neurological process and how the hormonal changes have a tangible effect on a woman's brain. He also explains why some of the common symptoms occur, the latest thinking on HRT, and why the timing of the menopause seems to be a design fault for women.