University of Otago physiology and Centre for Neuroendocrinology researchers (from left) Dr Jenny Clarkson, Dr Michael Perkinson, PhD student Vivienne Saunders and Dr Rosie Brown. PHOTO: SUPPLIED What started out as research on the affects of hormones on mood and behaviour in women during pregnancy and early postpartum has turned into research at the other end of the reproductive spectrum — peri-menopause.