You’ve gotten to the top professionally and menopause hits, now what?

Picture this. 

You just got a new promotion at work and feel like you are on top of the world. It took you years to get where you are now, and reaching your goal has given you a new outlook on life. Or maybe you have a family and feel like you have everything figured out. You are in control of your life and finally feel like you made it. That’s when perimenopause hits and now everything is all out of whack. 

Of course this happens now. Just when you feel a sense of peace and certainty over your life, your body decides to switch things up. You have spent your whole life preparing for success, but not for menopause. Why would you need to? It’s not something on your upcoming to-do list, but maybe it should be. 

“Entering menopause or perimenopause can be scary, intimidating, and can come at the worst time. Maybe you’ve climbed the professional ladder and are finally feeling in control. Then menopause throws everything out of whack,” says Amy Beckley, Ph.D and CEO at Proov.

The real question is “What do I do now that I’m entering perimenopause?” Educating yourself on which symptoms you could experience is vital to understanding how your body is changing. There are many perimenopause symptoms including irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes, and changes in sexual function. However each woman’s experience with perimenopause is different and symptoms can manifest at different times or not at all. Being in tune with your body can help you find remedies and solutions to make this next chapter of your life easier, so you can stay on track. 

Finding resources that will help give you these answers will make your life so much easier. Talking to your doctor or taking perimenopause tests can help you know your body better, so you can find ways to treat your symptoms. A lot of times women’s health is not highlighted or talked about, so being the boss over your health can go a long way. 

“Many times women are not prepared for the road ahead when it comes to menopause. Having resources to help guide you through managing your symptoms can give you power over your body, and take away some of the stress. A toolbox catered to menopause is vital to understanding your body and helping you stay in charge no matter what chapter of life you are in,” Beckley says. 

Taking control over your health can also help keep you on track for your career goals. Survey results show that 65% of respondents say their work performance was impacted by their menopause symptoms. Many of them also say they felt fatigue and poor concentration in the workplace during this time. It is also important as a boss or higher up to provide support to women in the office who are going through this phase. Practicing mindfulness can help employees feel taken care of and validated, especially when their bodies feel out of whack. 

Unfortunately, perimenopause does not wait for you to be ready. It can come whenever and wherever, so it’s up to you to be prepared. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are in life, so you should not let perimenopause symptoms disrupt your success. Everybody is different, so finding tools and tests that work for you will help you in the long run. Talking to your doctor and doing extra research can provide you with a level of support and comfort you need to thrive. Just because your body is changing does not mean you as a person has to change. You’ve gotten to the top and menopause hits…how will you power through and rise above your symptoms?