‘SHE MD’ Talks Rethinking Menopause, Work, and Women’s Health With Dr. Janet Choi

When it comes to women’s health, there’s one topic that still doesn’t get nearly enough airtime—menopause.

On SHE MD, hosted by Dr. Thais Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney, guest Dr. Janet Choi set the record straight on the process. She’s not only a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN, but also the Chief Medical Officer of Progeny and a certified menopause practitioner.

Research shows more than half of middle-aged women experience symptoms that disrupt their daily lives, from night sweats and sleep issues to mood swings and bone loss. Yet only about a third of OB-GYNs ever receive formal menopause training. How women experience menopause can affect everything from career advancement to long-term health outcomes.

More than hot flashes

When you hear “menopause,” odds are you think of hot flashes. But as Choi points out, that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Symptoms can also include mood changes, sleep disturbances, memory lapses, heart palpitations, and even increased risk for long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes. “It’s so much more complex than hot flashes,” she explains. “There are very notable changes in the body that should be addressed.”

Aliabadi agrees, noting that many of her patients experience perimenopausal symptoms as early as their mid-30s. “You can technically have someone at 35 who’s perimenopausal, or someone at 48. We go by symptoms,” she says. That’s a critical reminder that menopause doesn’t just happen overnight at a certain age—it’s a transition that unfolds over years, and it’s different for everyone.

Why training matters

One of the most jaw-dropping revelations from the episode is just how little formal education doctors receive on menopause. “I maybe had a couple of weeks of menopause training during residency,” Choi admits. Aliabadi adds that she taught herself almost everything she knows about hormone therapy after finishing her program. This lack of standardized training means many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed when they bring up symptoms to their doctors.

Progeny, where Choi serves as CMO, aims to change that. The company provides comprehensive women’s health benefits through employers, covering everything from fertility to menopause. Members are paired with Progeny Care Advocates—licensed professionals who guide them through their health journeys and connect them with vetted specialists.

Busting the menopause myths

Part of destigmatizing menopause means dismantling outdated myths. Choi runs through some of the big ones: that menopause only affects women of retirement age (false), that it automatically leads to weight gain (not always), and that it marks “the end” of vitality (absolutely not). “That’s actually a very infuriating myth,” she says. Instead, she frames menopause as a normal life transition that, with the proper support, can be a moment of empowerment.

The workplace factor

Menopause isn’t just a private health matter—it’s also a workplace issue. Symptoms like brain fog, mood changes, and sleep deprivation can directly affect performance, yet few companies provide support. Choi notes that some states and countries are starting to legislate employer responsibility in this area, but advocacy often begins with women themselves. “It may not necessarily be the first place to talk about it at work,” she says. “But start by sharing with friends and colleagues who are going through the same issues. Normalize it.”

For women ready to speak up at work, Progeny even offers HR resources to help employees advocate for benefits.

Menopause doesn’t have to be endured in silence or shame. With proper care, education, and workplace support, it can be a chapter of life that’s embraced rather than feared. Understanding it now means being prepared later—and maybe even reshaping the culture so that future generations never feel the need to whisper about it again.

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