Perimenopause often arrives during the exact years women are leading teams, running businesses, pursuing promotions and managing enormous responsibilities at work and at home.

But many women do not recognize what is happening.

They blame the anxiety on stress. The exhaustion on their schedule. The 3:00 a.m. wake-ups on everything running through their minds. And because they are not having hot flashes, they dismiss perimenopause as a possible explanation.

In this episode, Betsy sits down with Dr. Caissa Troutman, a physician specializing in menopause and midlife health—and Betsy’s own doctor—to talk about how perimenopause can affect sleep, focus, confidence, credibility and career decisions.

They explore the difference between perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms women commonly miss and why women are so often told that what they are experiencing is simply stress or aging. Dr. Troutman also shares the treatment options available, including hormone therapy, nutrition, movement, stress support and individualized medical care.

This is not about women becoming less capable. It is about understanding what is happening before women—or the people around them—mistake it for decline.

You’ll learn:

• How perimenopause differs from menopause
• Why anxiety, fatigue, sleep disruption and brain fog are commonly overlooked symptoms
• How perimenopause can affect confidence and credibility at work
• Why women often blame themselves and try to power through
• How untreated symptoms can influence promotions, leadership opportunities and career decisions
• Why hormone therapy may help some women but is not the only option
• What to look for in a provider who understands menopause care
• Why there is no medal for suffering through a normal biological transition

Perimenopause is common. It is okay to talk about it. And there are solutions.

Chapters

0:00 — Why Perimenopause Belongs in a Leadership Conversation

1:40 — What Perimenopause Actually Is3:55 — The Symptoms Women Don’t Expect

7:55 — What’s Happening With Your Hormones

9:05 — “I Thought It Was Just Stress”

13:20 — Brain Fog, Confidence & the Career Credibility Hit

15:45 — Should You Talk About Perimenopause at Work?

19:20 — How to Know When It’s Time to Get Help

22:05 — What to Do If Your Doctor Dismisses You

24:00 — The Career Cost of Untreated Symptoms

25:45 — HRT and Other Treatment Options

27:10 — Meals, Movement, Mind & Meds

31:10 — Stop Powering Through & Start Prioritizing Yourself

33:00 — Where to Connect With Dr. Troutman

Links

Connect with Dr. Troutman

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