What happens when a highly capable woman suddenly cannot sleep, cannot focus or cannot find the right word in an important meeting?
She may think she is burned out. Her coworkers may assume she is overwhelmed. And quietly, she may begin wondering whether she is losing her edge.
But what if it is not just stress?
In this episode of Loud & Lifted, Betsy talks with Dr. Caissa Troutman, a physician specializing in menopause and midlife health—and Betsy’s own doctor—about how perimenopause can affect women during some of the most demanding years of their careers.
They discuss the symptoms women often miss, including anxiety, fatigue, disrupted sleep, brain fog and difficulty concentrating; why perimenopause is frequently dismissed as ordinary stress or aging; and how untreated symptoms can affect confidence, credibility and career decisions.
Dr. Troutman also explains the difference between perimenopause and menopause, why hot flashes are far from the only symptom and the range of treatment options available—from hormone therapy to nutrition, movement, stress management and sleep support.
Because perimenopause may be normal, but there is no medal for suffering through it.
In this conversation:
• Why women often mistake perimenopause for burnout
• How poor sleep, anxiety and brain fog affect performance at work
• The “silent tax” of blaming yourself and trying to power through
• Why perimenopause often collides with peak career and leadership years
• How to find a provider who understands menopause care
• Hormone therapy and other individualized treatment options
• Why prioritizing your health is part of showing up as a strong leader
