HeraSphere #10: Reframing Menopause as Transformation

1. The Great Reframe: Menopause as Part of Your Development Journey

• Primarily viewing menopause through a medical lens misses a transformative opportunity. In her Be Your Power program, Edi approaches menopause through the lens of adult development theory, referencing Robert Kegan's five stages of adult development. She helps women see it as a “gateway to even more powerful ways of walking in the world."

• This perspective makes perfect sense when we consider our expanded lifespans. A century ago, women rarely lived decades beyond menopause. Today, we may have many vibrant decades ahead—plenty of time to grow into new leadership capacities and authentic expression.

• Many women report surprising shifts during this transition: decreased concern with others' approval, stronger boundaries, and a desire for creative expression. There's  an actual neurobiological basis for these changes. Neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi writes in her book “The Menopause Brain” that the amygdala becomes less reactive to negative stimulation. "We experience more joy and wonder. Recognizing life's finite nature helps us choose to enjoy it more fully," Edi explains.

• The leadership potential in menopause is supported by research. The work of industrial-organizational psychologist Dr. Alicia Grandey shows that women who own and claim their menopausal experience in professional settings don't take a reputational hit, while those who try to hide it often suffer worse consequences. This transparency aligns with the core menopausal gift—authentic self-expression.

2. Breaking the Silence Allows for Curiosity and Growth

• Imagine if we approached menopause with the same matter-of-fact openness we now bring to puberty. If mothers shared their experiences with daughters. If schools included it in health education. If doctors initiated conversations years before symptoms begin. Women suffering through symptoms often don't even realize what's happening. They attribute insomnia, mood changes, or brain fog to stress or aging rather than connecting these experiences to hormonal shifts.

• This knowledge gap is why Edi offers not only the deep dive for female leaders, she offers introductions to menopause for all employees in corporate settings, breaking the silence and stigma. "This happens to half the workforce," she reminds organizations. "It shouldn't be on individual women to educate their bosses or colleagues."

• Creating awareness doesn't just help women understand their symptoms—it fundamentally shifts their relationship to this transition. When we understand that our experiences are normal, that they have meaning beyond dysfunction, we can approach them with curiosity rather than dread.

3. The Hormonal Wisdom of Change

• The hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause fundamentally change our relationship with stress and energy. As ovaries stop producing estrogen, our relationship with cortisol and stress changes.

• This hormonal shift helps us become more discerning about where we give our energy and more explicit about how we use it. "Estradiol, the dominant estrogen before menopause, is the 'make nice' hormone that supports nurturing behaviors," Edi notes. "Estrone, which becomes more dominant after menopause, promotes clearer seeing."

• As a result, many women find themselves reclaiming power and self-ownership they previously gave away. They develop a stronger sense of boundaries and become less willing to deplete themselves for others' comfort.

4. Leadership Transformation in the Workplace

• Many female leaders develop stronger presence and gravitas during their menopause journey, finding new ways to exert influence as senior leaders and entrepreneurs.

• The entrepreneurial awakening many women experience through menopause isn't just anecdotal—it's backed by empirical data. According to Harvard Business Review, the average age of successful entrepreneurs across industries is 45, with the highest success rates occurring in the late 40s to early 50s, precisely when many women are navigating menopause. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor reinforces this pattern, revealing that women over 45 represent one of the fastest-growing demographics of entrepreneurs, with a 41% increase in entrepreneurial activity between 2015-2020. This surge in midlife women-led ventures suggests that the hormonal and psychological shifts of menopause may indeed be catalyzing women to channel their expertise and newfound authenticity into creating businesses aligned with their deepest values

• Edi shared real life examples of transformation in her work: a senior executive who had always managed every detail found menopausal brain fog encouraged her to let go of administrative micromanagement. This pushed her to step into true influential leadership—becoming more strategic and forward-thinking rather than detail-oriented. A Chief People Officer found herself with less energy for corporate politics. She made career adjustments for greater flexibility, bringing more passion while feeling less weighed down by institutional demands. Her decreased investment in the corporate machine allowed her to focus more authentically on outcomes and mission.

5. Practical Ways to Honor Your Transition: If you're navigating this transformative phase, Edi offers several perspectives and practices.

• Find your "menopals." Community is stronger than willpower. Seek out women who share your hope to grow through this transition rather than just endure it. Edi mentions a heartening trend of "M Factor" screenings happening worldwide, where women gather to discuss menopause openly. You might also notice a natural "resorting" of friendships—some connections may fade while new, more aligned ones emerge.

• Approach with compassion, not control. "If we meet our suffering with care versus control, we invite the possibility for growth and change," Edi emphasizes. Our culture trains us to manage and control our bodies, but menopause teaches us that bodies are beautifully unpredictable. Instead of fighting symptoms, practice compassion and soothing self-care. "Many women experience suffering or embarrassment because our culture hasn't supported us," she observes. "Every woman who is learning should do so with compassion."

• Embrace self-inquiry. Use this time for deep self-learning and making sense of your experience. For example, track patterns to understand personal triggers for hot flashes or insomnia. One woman in Edi's program discovered her hot flashes typically followed a moment of irritation, giving her a new awareness about managing interactions.

• Make space for both grief and growth. Acknowledge what you're losing while focusing on what you're birthing. There's space for anger and grief, but also for joy and pleasure in this transition.

Whether you're years away from menopause, in the midst of it, or reflecting back, how might reframing this transition shift your relationship to yourself and your potential contributions to the world?

As we reclaim this transition as a developmental journey, we create new possibilities not just for ourselves, but for future generations. What aspects of your menopausal journey might you reconsider through this lens of renaissance? I'd love to hear your reflections—please send me a note to continue the conversation.

To growth and transformation,

Lilly

PS. Please share this with a friend or family member who may benefit from reframing her menopause experience as a transformation. 

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Note: While I love diving deep into research and sharing what I've learned about women's health and wellness, I want to be crystal clear: I'm a passionate health advocate and researcher, not a medical professional. Think of me as your well-informed friend who does extensive homework – but not your doctor.

Everything I share in HeraSphere comes from careful research and personal experience, but it's meant to inform and inspire, not to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Your body is uniquely yours, and what works for one person might not work for another. Always consult your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or wellness practices, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take medications.

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