My Menopause Journey
A personal account of navigation through menopause transition with scientific clarity and heart. Discover the narrative that drives the Institute forward.
This isn't just my story; it is a commitment to a more informed, healthy, and compassionate future for us all.
A Personal Mission
My menopause transition wasn't just a physical shift; it was a profound awakening. Like many women, I found myself navigating a fog of symptoms and silence, realizing that the support systems we rely on were often unprepared for the complexity of this life stage. It was in this moment of shared vulnerability that the vision for MyPause Institute was born.
I soon realized that education was the missing link. Menopause is a natural biological milestone, yet the lack of accessible, evidence-based information transforms it into a time of unnecessary suffering. My personal journey evolved into a professional mission: to bridge the gap between academic research and the daily reality of women in both the workplace and at home.
While the science of menopause is still in its infancy—one could even say it is only just being born—and research funding remains woefully inadequate, I remain hopeful that this will change.
So my new journey as a Health Educator began out of necessity. After years of struggling with a range of symptoms, the most debilitating being brain fog and insomnia, I found myself wondering if I was developing early-onset dementia or suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19.
I was forced to become my own educator because I couldn't find the answers or help I needed within the healthcare system. At 44, my GP dismissed my concerns, claiming I was 'far too young for anything to be seriously wrong' since all my stats were 'perfect'. I didn't even think to ask my gynecologist; I never suspected my issues were linked to the menopausal transition. Because I had an IUD and wasn't experiencing the 'classic' perimenopausal sign of a changing cycle, no information was offered about what to expect at my age.
My turning point came through social media, where I discovered Dr. Mary Claire Haver—who was then just writing her first bestseller—and the brilliant neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi. Their work highlights a crucial truth: menopause isn’t just about the reproductive organs. It profoundly impacts the brain and every other organ system, contributing to the chronic inflammatory aging process now known as 'inflammaging.'
After completing several specialized certification courses in menopause and health coaching and clearing my head with HRT, friends began reaching out to me for advice. This inspired me to enroll in a Master’s of Science degree in Health Promotion Practice. My goal was to help raise awareness about the perimenopause and menopause symptoms, challenge the perspectives of both the public and the medical profession, and dismantle the stigma that surrounds it. We need to move past the 'hysterical woman' tropes that leave so many women suffering in silence and shame.
Today, our goal at the Institute is to ensure that no woman has to navigate this path in the dark. By bringing science to the forefront of the menopause conversation, we empower women to regain their vitality and help organizations support their most experienced talent. This isn't just my story; it is a commitment to a more informed, healthy, and compassionate future for us all.
Thank you for coming on this journey with me.