Why Menopause Gets Misunderstood At Work | Tina Pomroy

Menopause is having a moment. There’s more conversation, more awareness, and more information than ever before. But when it comes to the workplace, many leaders still don’t understand what menopause actually looks like—or how it can affect performance, wellbeing, and day-to-day work. In this episode of Wired to Work, Jess Chapman speaks with counselor and researcher Tina Pomroy about the biological, psychological, and professional realities of menopause and perimenopause. They discuss: • what’s happening with estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and dopamine during menopause• why symptoms are often misunderstood or treated in isolation• how menopause can affect cognition, memory, focus, and emotional regulation• the mental health risks that often go unrecognized• why many leaders feel uncomfortable discussing menopause at work• practical ways organizations can better support employees• why menopause should be viewed as a transition—not a decline Whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or leading a team that includes midlife professionals, this conversation offers practical insights and a more informed way to think about performance, flexibility, and workplace support. Join the Wired to Work community on Patreon for bonus content, exclusive clips, and deeper conversations:https://www.patreon.com/WiredtoWork Wired to Work with Jess Chapman. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.wiredtowork.castos.com Chapters (00:00:00) - What to Talk About When You're Going Through Perimenopause(00:01:21) - Tina Pomeroy on Perimenopause and Mental Health(00:06:04) - What Women Need to Know About Menopause(00:11:04) - What Is Perimenopause and Menopause?(00:15:15) - How to Survive Perimenopause(00:19:51) - How to manage menopause symptoms in the US(00:22:46) - How to Talk About Menopause in the Workplace(00:28:38) - What Kind of Led Me To Think About Menopause?(00:33:47) - How Menopause Affects Your Brain(00:39:23) - Hormone regulation in menopause and ADHD(00:42:33) - How to Deal with Depression in the Year 2(00:47:11) - How to Ask People How Are You Really?(00:50:38) - E3CA: Working in the World of Work