Red Hot Mamas Menopause Education and Support Programs
By: Guest Author
Published: September 21, 2026
Written by Jey Sneed- Guest Contributor
Something happened the other day that made me stop and think.
I was having an in-person coaching conversation with my boss when, without warning, I felt a hot flash coming on. Before I could finish our conversation, I reached for the document he was using to coach me and began fanning myself. Within seconds, I was drenched in sweat.
My boss, who is nearly 20 years younger than I am, looked at me with concern. He had no idea what was happening.
In that moment, I had a choice: Do I explain that I’m experiencing a menopausal hot flash, or do I pretend everything is normal and push through the conversation?
Like many women, I chose to push through.
Because I started my career later in life, I’m the oldest woman on my team. There isn’t anyone in my immediate circle who truly understands what this stage of life feels like. There’s no coworker I can quietly lean over to and say, “It’s just menopause.”
I do have a thoughtful colleague who notices when something seems off. She, at times, will gently ask, “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?” While I deeply appreciate the kindness, those moments can also feel incredibly vulnerable. It’s difficult to explain something that so many people have never experienced or simply don’t understand.
The physical symptoms are challenging; but for me, the cognitive symptoms have been even harder.
Recently, my manager asked why I hadn’t corrected a client who had misunderstood one of our products. I knew the client was mistaken. I even offered an alternative solution. But when asked why I never circled back to clarify the issue, I honestly couldn’t explain it.
The answer was brain fog.
Menopause has a way of interrupting your thoughts at the worst possible moments. You know what you want to say. You know what needs to be done. Yet somehow, the connection between thought and action gets lost.
Do I explain that to my younger leader? Do I tell him that my brain isn’t failing—it’s navigating hormonal changes that millions of women experiences? Or do I simply apologize, accept the coaching, and silently criticize myself afterward?
Too often, I choose the latter.
The internal dialogue can be exhausting. I replay conversations in my head, wondering what I forgot, what I should have said, or whether someone noticed my hesitation. During meetings, I often mentally rehearse my responses before speaking. Sometimes I lose track of what someone has said and must ask them to repeat themselves. I’ve developed small strategies to stay engaged and focused; and for now, they help me continue doing the work I love.
What I’ve realized is that menopause doesn’t make me less capable. It simply means I’m managing an invisible challenge while continuing to lead, contribute, solve problems, and support my team every day.
There are thousands of professional women navigating the same experience in silence because they’re afraid of being viewed as “too old,” less competent, or no longer leadership material.
That silence comes at a cost.
Organizations have made tremendous progress in supporting mental health, parenthood, and overall employee well-being. Menopause deserves to be part of that conversation as well. It is not a weakness, and it certainly is not the end of a successful career. It is a natural stage of life that affects millions of experienced, talented women who continue to bring tremendous value to the workplace.
Imagine the difference if leaders understood what menopause can look like in a professional setting. Imagine if women didn’t have to choose between protecting their credibility and being honest about what they’re experiencing.
A little awareness can create a lot of empathy.
The most experienced employees often carry the deepest knowledge, strongest relationships, and greatest resilience. Supporting women through menopause isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart investment in retaining talent, preserving institutional knowledge, and creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. To be vulnerable in the workplace is just never a good option.
Menopause may be part of my story, but it does not define my ability, my leadership, or my future.
If anything, it has taught me resilience in ways I never expected.
About the Author
Jey Sneed is a writer and advocate dedicated to celebrating the power, resilience, and beauty of Black women. Through her work, she amplifies conversations around community, connection, and collective growth, inspiring women to rise—together.
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
