A Business Professional’s Guide to Perimenopause & Menopause

Perimenopause and menopause can feel unpredictable and frustrating. In the traditional healthcare system, symptoms are frequently dismissed, treatment options are unclear, and standard primary care appointments don’t always provide the time or guidance necessary to navigate this transition with confidence. 

In this interview, Dr. Jessica Benjamin, a board-certified family physician and certified menopause practitioner, shares her perspective on women’s health, breaks down what’s happening during perimenopause and menopause, and explains how SHIFT’s integrative healthcare model helps women feel informed, supported, and in control of their health.

Dr. Jessica Benjamin on Understanding how Perimenopause and Menopause Impacts Performance, Energy, and Daily Life for Busy Female Executives

Dr. Benjamin, can you start by sharing what drew you to focus on women’s health, particularly perimenopause and menopause?

I’ve always been drawn to caring for women throughout different phases of their lives. From reproductive health, sexual health and pregnancy, to preventive care, I find it deeply rewarding to build long-term relationships with my patients and support them through life’s transitions. As I progressed in my career, I recognized a significant gap in medical training and understanding of the profound changes women experience during the menopausal transition. This can be a confusing and concerning time for women, and I wanted to become the best-equipped physician I could be to care for women in this phase in the way they truly deserve.

You’re a certified menopause practitioner. How has that specialized training shaped the way you care for women in this stage of life?

Despite affecting every woman, menopause and perimenopause are often under-recognized and inadequately addressed in traditional medical care. Many women are left feeling confused about what they are experiencing or are told that their symptoms are simply something they need to tolerate. In reality, this stage represents an important opportunity to support long-term health. My menopause training allows me to provide appropriate and individualized guidance, education, and treatment that help women better understand what’s happening in their bodies and navigate this transition with confidence.

How would you describe your overall philosophy for caring for women navigating hormonal transitions?

Listen first. Even with a strong understanding of the physiologic changes that typically occur with hormonal shifts, I recognize that every woman’s individual experience and needs vary. My first step is always to listen, hear her story, her family history, medical history, and understand her concerns, so that I can meet her where she is. From there, we move forward together in a collaborative way that helps her not only feel better but also works to optimize her health for the decades ahead. This relationship-centered approach is a core part of what makes care at SHIFT different.

Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

What’s actually happening in the body during perimenopause and menopause that women should understand, especially from a long-term health perspective?

The menopausal transition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive phase. As the ovaries begin running out of eggs, they respond less effectively to signals from the brain to ovulate and produce estrogen and progesterone. During perimenopause, this leads to significant, often chaotic fluctuations in these hormone levels, which drive many of the symptoms women experience. There is a wide range of common symptoms that can include: 

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Brain fog and trouble concentrating on daily activities 
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy
• Decreased libido
• Weight gain or changes in body composition
• Joint aches and muscle soreness
• Headaches or worsening migraines
• Heart palpitations or other irregularities in heart rate 
• Developing new health problems, including high blood pressure
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Increased urinary urgency or recurrent urinary tract infections

As a woman approaches menopause, when the ovaries officially stop releasing eggs and menstruation ends, these hormone levels fall to their lowest points and remain low for the rest of her life.

Because estrogen receptors are found throughout the body, these hormonal shifts cause symptoms that affect multiple body systems and contribute to metabolic changes that increase a woman’s risk for various chronic diseases. This is why getting a thorough physical, advanced health screenings, and an individualized plan that includes nutrition and fitness support are so important. I often describe the menopausal transition as a window of opportunity to take stock of a woman’s overall health, identify and address emerging risks, and create a proactive plan for the decades to come.

For many female executives, the early signs of perimenopause can be subtle or confusing. What are some of the first changes you encourage patients to pay attention to?

Even before a woman notices changes in her menstrual cycle, other symptoms can begin to appear. Most of the earliest changes start in the brain, and women may notice shifts in mood, increased anxiety, irritability, brain fog, or sleep disturbances. Changes in body composition also begin to emerge. Hot flashes and night sweats often come later, but of course, every woman’s experience will vary.

The Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause on Professional Performance, Energy, and Daily Life

Many female professionals are balancing demanding careers, families, and personal goals. How can hormonal changes during this time impact cognitive performance, energy levels, and stress resilience?

Because of estrogen and progesterone’s effects on the brain, fluctuations and eventual declines in these hormones can leave women feeling off, experiencing mood changes, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. These changes can meaningfully affect their their day-to- day functioning across both work and personal life and relationships. Between 10% to 13% of women experience work disruption because of menopausal symptoms, and losses in productivity cost businesses approximately $1.8 billion annually in the United States.

How do these hormonal shifts affect metabolism, body composition, and weight management, even for women who maintain healthy habits?

This is a source of incredible frustration for many of the women I see and care for. Because estrogen impacts our metabolic processes, we see notable shifts toward increased abdominal fat storage and a greater propensity toward insulin resistance and elevated cholesterol levels. The menopausal transition is also associated with a decline in lean muscle mass and accelerated bone density loss. On top of these direct physiologic changes, menopausal symptoms can indirectly compound many of these shifts. For example, sleep disruptions and low mood or energy make it harder to stick to healthy habits, creating a cycle that further impacts body composition and weight management.

SHIFT’s Approach to Women’s Health

How does SHIFT’s interdisciplinary approach to healthcare allow you to approach perimenopause and menopause differently than a traditional healthcare setting?

As the best interdisciplinary healthcare team in Chicago, our physicians, registered dietitians, physical therapists, and fitness experts collaborate to meet every woman where she is, taking into account her individual lifestyle and limitations. This allows us to address not only symptoms, but also the underlying factors that influence long-term health and chronic disease risk.

What role do advanced diagnostics and personalized data play in managing perimenopausal symptoms during this stage?

Part of a comprehensive health assessment of a woman in perimenopause or menopause includes diagnostics to get a full picture of her health. We dig deep to evaluate her metabolic and cardiovascular risks, often including advanced lipid testing, inflammation markers, and insulin sensitivity. We also use bloodwork to rule out other conditions that may be causing or contributing to symptoms in this phase, including thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency, among others.

We use DEXA body composition scans to assess a woman’s muscle mass and visceral fat so we can tailor lifestyle approaches to target any concerns. We also use VO₂ max testing to understand a woman’s overall fitness level, which has implications for her long-term health trajectory. Additional imaging studies, like bone density scans and coronary artery calcium scores, are often also used to assess health status and guide management decisions.

SHIFT’s Approach to the Treatment of Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

There’s a lot of confusion around hormone replacement therapy (HRT). How do you approach these conversations with patients?

Yes, there is! Every woman deserves a thoughtful conversation about whether hormone therapy may be appropriate for her. I spend a lot of time educating women about the history of hormone therapy, the current evidence-based recommendations, the potential risks, and the benefits. We take into account her personal health history, symptoms, and goals, and then together, we decide what makes the most sense for her.

Beyond HRT, what are some of the most impactful lifestyle or medical interventions women can consider?

Lifestyle and habits truly form the foundation of health and thriving through menopause. A well-rounded fitness routine with a focus on strength or resistance training, as well as cardiovascular exercise and mobility, is essential. Nutrition also plays a critical role, with an emphasis on whole foods, lean proteins, and fiber-rich choices. As sleep becomes more challenging during this phase, prioritizing strong sleep hygiene can improve both sleep duration and quality, which in turn improves energy levels and functioning during the day. 

Where to Find the Best Menopause Doctor in Chicago

Perimenopause and menopause can reshape your energy, performance, and long-term health for decades to come. With the right guidance and a proactive, personalized strategy, this stage of life can become an opportunity to better understand your body, optimize how you feel, and invest in your future healthspan.

At SHIFT, Dr. Jessica Benjamin works alongside the best interdisciplinary healthcare team in Chicago to provide a more comprehensive, data-driven, and individualized approach to women’s health. From advanced diagnostics and hormone management to tailored nutrition, fitness, and recovery plans, our model is designed to support female business leaders at any stage of life.