From Parties to Perimenopause

Quick thoughts on my very personal NYTimes interview. And, how I optimized my health to thrive at work.

For the record, they don’t encourage smiling. (Bethany Mollenkof /New York Times)

The first time I was quoted in the New York Times was in 2009 in a Sunday Styles article about how to enforce social media etiquette at events entitled “Party On, but No Tweets.”

Yesterday I was featured again. But this time it was for the Business section for a story on, “The Next Frontier for Corporate Benefits: Menopause.”

From party girl to perimenopause spokesperson? Exactly how did I get here?

If I’m honest, I initially bristled at the idea of sharing something so personal on such a big platform and to a business audience no less. As women we are taught not to show any vulnerability at work for fear that it will damage our reputation as competent high-performers. But if we really want things to change, it’s time to make some noise.

Since posting the article to social, my DMs have exploded. Friends, colleagues and strangers wanting to discuss their health experiences and frustrations. And mostly everyone wanting to understand how to feel better so they can do better.

Perimenopause you have bad timing.

Starting in our 40’s, we are at the top of our game. We are highly experienced, networked and credentialed talent ready to make the most significant contributions of our careers. We are being considered for leadership roles or actively founding companies of our own. Yet, all of these positions come with a list of heavy demands on our time, energy and brain power.

So it seems a little unfair that the big opportunity comes at the exact moment that our hormones need a little extra care and consideration. Since we’ve struggled so hard to get a seat at the table and prove our worth, many of us power through (without complaint), almost always at the detriment of our health.

But do you blame us? It’s estimated that only 21% of C-level roles go to women. According to the Harvard Business Review, women-led start-ups receive less than 3% of all VC investments and sadly due to attribution bias, female founders who received funding solely from female investors were two times less likely to raise a second round.

We overcompensate for the disparity by working harder while being deprived of the resources, education and company culture to support our ever-changing health needs.

As I reflect on my own journey as a CMO of an early stage start-up, I wonder why I thought I could sprint the entire marathon and not suffer the consequences. Probably because I got away with it for so many years until I didn’t.

Steady As She Goes

Here’s the thing — if you want to perform like an elite athlete then you have to prioritize your mental and physical health which means your mindset, routine, recovery and rest need to be on point. When I finally “hit that wall,” I was frustrated but motivated to figure out a solution. Not only for some relief from unpleasant symptoms in the immediate term but to find a way to be my most creative, productive and happy self.

At a time when your hormones are fluctuating unpredictably and, for some, wildly, the most impactful thing you can do is REGULATE.

• Nervous System: Many of us live with chronic stress. To relax, there are many ways to activate your parasympathetic nervous system such as meditation, exercise, connection/touch but one of the most helpful for me was working with a somatic experiencing therapist to focus on the mind-body connection. While it is best known for its remarkable treatment of trauma, it lowered my stress response and repaired my nervous system in a way where I am less triggered by just about everything (and it happened in record time.)

• Blood Sugar: Eating a nutrient-dense, balanced blood sugar diet means you get off the rollercoaster ride of glucose spikes and dips (from refined carbs, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol) which can lead to fatigue, brain fog and anxiety. Healthy fats, lean protein and fiber from vegetables can keep your blood sugar steady so you maintain energy and focus throughout the day. Learn how I managed my blood sugar in this substack: Decoding Your Dashboard

• Circadian Rhythm: Your internal body clock regulates the release of various hormones throughout the day including cortisol (helps you wake up); melatonin (helps you fall asleep); insulin (regulates blood sugar levels); and serotonin (promotes good mood). I started to go to bed and wake up at a consistent time each day as well as avoided blue light at night, which brought my body back into balance.

• Hormones: Balancing hormones is a delicate practice but I was amazed how far I got with diet and lifestyle changes alone. Regulating your nervous system, blood sugar and circadian rhythms will in turn support your hormones. For those with moderate to severe perimenopausal symptoms, test your hormones regularly and talk to your doctor about adding hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Since cortisol, disrupts just about everything, a Dutch Adrenal test (which looks at cortisol at various times of day) can be super insightful about how stress is really affecting your health.

There is so much more to say about each of these topics so I’ll do a deep dive in future substacks if there is interest. For now, I’ll open it up to the community to ask for what they want to learn next.

Leave me a comment, question or idea below. If this content resonates with you, I hope you’ll like this post or share with a friend. Thank you!

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All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.