October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to pause and check in with ourselves. From shifting seasonal moods to depression screenings and intentional self-care, small actions this month can make a big difference in resilience, especially for women in midlife.

Perimenopause is more than hot flashes, it’s a season of change that touches every part of a woman’s health. Too often, symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or mood swings are dismissed as “just stress” or “just hormones.” But research and my own clinical work shows that deficiencies and overlooked labs can mimic depression and anxiety. In this post, I share 5 essential tests every woman in perimenopause should ask for, plus how they can bring clarity and confidence in this imp