A few years ago (at about 47 years old), I was going through a very difficult time at my job. Beyond my normal anxiety that comes up with challenging work dynamics, I was just not my best self. I noticed that I was also starting to have hot flashes, especially when I was anxious or frustrated. I asked my doctor for approval for a medical leave of absence, which she approved, and said that I thought the situation might be exacerbated by hormonal shifts. She poo-pooed it but my symptoms (albeit reduced) continued. About a year later, I went in for my annual physical and insisted that she check my hormone levels, thinking I must be in perimenopause. When the results came back, my doctor told me I was fully in menopause. I learned that it's so important to advocate for yourself (even with a female physician) and give yourself grace with changes in mood, physical changes like weight gain, etc. when navigating this mid-life transition.