OCD-UK Webinar Series 2026

Understanding OCD across the menstrual cycle and perinatal period

Broadcast live on Friday 19th June 2026

Speaker

Dr Louise Nolan (Clinical Psychologist)
Dr Alexa Roxborough (Clinical Psychologist)
Dr Laoise O'Reilly (Clinical Psychologist)
The webinar was facilitated by Laura, from the OCD-UK team.

Presentation subject

Research suggests that for some women and/or people assigned female at birth, OCD symptoms may start or worsen at times of hormonal change. These include puberty, certain stages of the menstrual cycle, during and after pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This talk will explore how hormonal changes may contribute to OCD with consideration for the psychological and social changes that often accompany these periods. This talk will focus predominantly on the menstrual cycle, including premenstrual exacerbation and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and the perinatal period.

About the speakers

Louise Nolan is a Clinical Psychologist. On top of her research, she works clinically in the NHS. Prior to this, she completed her masters and undergraduate degree at University College London (UCL). Louise has a strong interest in how the menstrual cycle influences mental health difficulties, in particular around the exacerbation of existing mental health difficulties during the premenstrual phase (known as Premenstrual Exacerbation/PME). She has published a systemic review ‘Premenstrual exacerbation of mental health disorders: a systematic review of prospective studies (Nolan & Hughes, 2022)’ in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health. This highlighted the lack of menstrual cycle research into OCD and since then, she has endeavoured to progress understanding in the area.

Dr Louise Nolan

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