More than a "buzz word"?

I interview the Periprofessional, Shelby Tutty, who will guide us through midlife's surprises

Today, I’m changing it up a bit. I had the pleasure of interviewing the strong and wise perimenopause woman who has worked in the healthcare profession for many years. Using her 7 plus years of experiencing perimenopause herself, combined with her unique understanding of the medical field, Shelby Tutty has poured some great education and laughter into her publication— The Periprofessional.

She is also the founder of the Women's Health 365 Collective, which is a place for Substack women health writers to join together and inspire readers to learn about their health. The Collective recently started a directory for a much needed Women’s Health Category in Substack. The Women’s Health 365 Collective invites all writers in the category of Women’s Health to submit work to enhance the collective understanding of current topics.

Shelby is a natural perimenopause mentor for women, our "big sister," providing information and, most importantly, the support that women need right now in mid-life through her 1:1 consulting.

Without delay, I bring you my interview with Shelby Tutty.

Shelby Tutty- The Periprofessional

Jess: I guess first of all, tell us a little bit about The Periprofessional and how it all began.

Shelby: Hi Jess and everyone! I’m excited to have the opportunity to share a little about myself and my work. My name is Shelby, and I write The Periprofessional, a Substack publication that focuses on perimenopause health information that won’t bore you to tears. With several decades of experience on the business side of the health industry, I became frustrated with how perimenopause information was presented online. There’s a lot of misinformation, with some people spreading false claims just to sell products. I wanted a safe place for women to learn about perimenopause health without ads popping up and pressure to click on affiliate links. It’s become so difficult to read anything online these days.

I may write creatively, but I’m all about integrity and providing accurate information in a non-intimidating way.

Jess: What did you know about perimenopause before perimenopausal symptoms began?

Shelby: This is sad and embarrassing that, despite my extensive knowledge about health, I was not well-informed about perimenopause before I began experiencing its symptoms seven years ago. At that time, the information available suggested that I wouldn't need to focus on it until I started skipping periods, which is not accurate.

I was already eating right and exercising, so I thought I would breeze through menopause when it finally arrived. Little did I know at the time that my journey had already started.

Jess: It seems like perimenopause has become a buzzword lately from celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry, and Shania Twain. Is this just a trendy word, or is it more than that?

Shelby: I love that celebrities are bringing awareness to perimenopause in a positive way, but there are also some who are jumping on the bandwagon just to gain attention or earn a buck. I watch very carefully the message that a celebrity promotes and why.

Perimenopause has been around for as long as menopause. However, the word wasn’t coined until the 1960s. I think what’s happening is that due to our stressful and busy lives, perimenopause symptoms are more intense than ever. We’re not taught about this, so it becomes a shock and surprise when it happens. This gives a platform to people who want to bring it into the light.

Jess: What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is the years prior to reaching menopause when all of the hormonal changes in our ovaries start to happen as they begin to retire. It can occur 2 – 14 years prior to reaching menopause, and it’s a time of declining progesterone and spiking and dropping estrogen.

Jess: Do all women experience perimenopause?

Shelby: Yes and no. You have to live to menopause age (the average in the US is 52) in order to go through perimenopause. You can bypass perimenopause if you have a chemical or surgical menopause (removing both the uterus and ovaries) prior to reaching perimenopause. In this case, you’ll have sudden menopause symptoms that are similar to perimenopause, like hot flashes, joint pain, and sleep issues.

Overall, anyone born with ovaries will go through menopause at some point in 1 of the 3 ways.

Women who go through perimenopause don’t always experience symptoms. It depends on how sensitive a woman is to these changing hormones.

Jess: What have been your most challenging symptoms?

The most challenging symptom for me is the effect it has on my brain. Many women describe a feeling of “not feeling like themselves,” and I can completely relate to that. At the same time, I’m also redefining my identity. For example, I was a proud introvert for my entire life, and now I’m becoming more extroverted. This takes a lot of getting used to.

My thinking feels muddled at times, and while I’m very good at focusing on the details, I sometimes lose the big picture.

Luckily, the brain changes are temporary until the hormonal havoc of perimenopause settles down.

Jess: Most surprising symptoms?

Shelby: I wasn’t expecting this to be such a full-body experience.

Jess: What resources did you find most valuable?

Shelby: My favorite people online are those who share a ton of free information. It’s one of the reasons that I keep The Periprofessional accessible at no cost. When individuals provide free information, it shows me that they are genuinely passionate about the topics they discuss. Additionally, it avoids the constant sales pitches that I find off-putting. Interestingly, it’s often these very people that I eventually choose to pay for their services.

My favorite resource is medical literature, and it’s always the first place I turn to. I have degrees in healthcare administration, which have taught me how to find and read these types of documents. When managing a hospital, it’s essential to have a strong understanding of medicine and health.

I have different resources for different topics for anyone who doesn’t want to read medical articles. If your readers want to contact me, I’m always happy to share them.

Jess: How does a woman know if she is in perimenopause? Is there a test she can take?

Shelby: There are no tests that she can take to determine whether or not she’s in perimenopause because our hormones change from moment to moment during this stage. It’s hard to test them when they are constantly changing. Blood work could tell you that your hormones are normal one day, and the next day, it could tell you, one or more hormones are low.

There are marketed over-the-counter test kits being sold in pharmacies in the U.S. that say they test for perimenopause/menopause, but these are not legitimate ways and are a waste of money. They test one type of hormone that changes frequently and is therefore not reliable.

Some of the first signs of perimenopause are periods that occur too close together, a change in mood, or difficulty sleeping. Using this as a guide is less costly and a better indicator.

One FDA-approved test in the U.S. can aid in determining menopausal status but not perimenopause. However, this test isn’t used as the sole factor in determining status and is only approved for use when menopause is suspected in women over 42 years of age.

By 45, a woman has a 50% chance of being in perimenopause even without symptoms.

Jess: You mention in The Periprofessional, that there are many perimenopause symptoms. 100?! Is it possible to have other health issues that seem like perimenopause? What other medical pathologies look like perimenopause?

Shelby: Many people online claim that perimenopause can start in your 30s, and while it is possible, it’s not common. It’s important not to normalize this idea, as the symptoms of perimenopause can resemble those of other health issues, such as thyroid disorders. For instance, if a 37-year-old woman begins experiencing hot flashes, she might assume it’s due to perimenopause and may not seek medical advice. This assumption could prevent her from getting a proper diagnosis for an underlying health condition.

Experiencing menopause prematurely—definitely before the age of 40, and prematurely between ages 40 and 45—can have significant consequences for women. Therefore, if a woman starts experiencing symptoms that resemble perimenopause, she should consult a knowledgeable doctor. This consultation is crucial to rule out other potential conditions and to receive guidance if she is indeed going to experience early menopause.

Jess: When should a woman go to the doctor if she suspects she is in perimenopause?

I advise seeing a doctor if you have any symptoms that are concerning, like heavy bleeding, hot flashes that are unbearable to you, mood changes, exhaustion, etc…

Jess: How hard is it to find a perimenopause doctor, or is that even such a thing?

Shelby: There are doctors who have received additional training in menopause, and consulting them can be very beneficial. The Menopause Society offers a practitioner search feature that helps you find certified doctors who have completed their training and passed the exam. This is a great place to start. In the UK, the British Menopause Society provides a similar list.

Some women in the U.S. have expressed concerns that the list of practitioners in their area mostly includes nurse practitioners. While doctors are ideal, nurse practitioners can be a great alternative when a doctor is unavailable or based on your preference. They can prescribe medications and hormones and discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Personally, I have had very positive experiences with nurse practitioners over the years for various health issues.

• The Menopause Society Practitioner Search in the U.S. and Canada

• The British Menopause Society Practitioner Search

Jess: As a certified perimenopause educator and coach, what do you do to help women as they go through perimenopause?

Shelby: Around the time of starting The Periprofessional, I had the opportunity to be trained and certified as a perimenopause/menopause educator and work as a perimenopause health coach. Over three years of studying perimenopause and menopause, I had amassed extensive knowledge on the subject trying to figure things out for myself, so I jumped at this chance to get more involved.

I assist women in understanding the information they read online about perimenopause and present the biology of these hormonal changes in an easy-to-understand manner. You could spend hours and hours researching this and still not understand it, or you could spend an hour with me and get all of your questions answered.

I clarify what’s fact and what’s fiction, helping women make their own best and informed health decisions, especially when it comes to hormone therapy. Additionally, I help women prepare for their doctor’s appointments to ensure they don’t walk out disappointed. I also teach women how to manage their perimenopause symptoms through lifestyle management techniques. Whatever women need in this area, I can help with.

Shelby provides 1:1 consulting through The Periprofessional website page Let’s Chat. What I love about her approach is that you can choose from several contact options and it is based on single appointments.

Jess: What options are available for women who are experiencing multiple symptoms or debilitating symptoms?

Shelby: There are 3 options for perimenopausal women to consider if a woman is experiencing multiple symptoms or debilitating symptoms.

1. Hormone therapy

2. Non-hormonal medications

3. Lifestyle management

No matter which one is chosen, it’s important to include lifestyle management techniques as well. Hormone therapy and non-hormonal medications may help you to feel better, but we still need to consider that we’re aging, and this is a good time to prepare for what’s to come.

Jess: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently in your mid 30's-early 40's. Is it possible to prepare?

Shelby: This is a really important question because this is where we can make the most difference before we reach perimenopause.

As I mentioned earlier, I had a consistent exercise routine that included both strength training and cardio. However, it didn’t include rest days or flexibility exercises. When I reached perimenopause, my body struggled to handle the increased demands, and almost overnight, I found that I couldn't exercise without ending up face-planted on the couch all day.

I also would have learned more about anxiety. I thought I didn’t have issues with it. It wasn’t until perimenopause that I realized that my whole life was built on an anxiety foundation. Had I discovered this earlier, before reaching perimenopause, I would have had the tools to be able to cope with perimenopause anxiety, or maybe I could have starved it off completely. Considering myself an anxious person was a hit to my identity that I’ve learned to adjust to.

Finally, and probably most importantly, I wish I had learned about the wisdom of my menstrual cycle, as you teach here. I took everything for granted because my cycles were smooth and easy. If I had known when to push myself during my cycle and when to hold back and rest, I could have better supported my body throughout the month instead of constantly fighting against it. When I felt tired, I would tell myself to suck it up. If I was hungry, I thought, "Sorry, girl, it ain’t time to eat." When I was feeling cranky, I would say, "Fake it till you make it."

Essentially, I was conveying to my body that its needs didn't matter. It’s no wonder I felt so frustrated with it all the time. I only paid attention to it when it was irritating me and not doing what it wanted. I wish I had Go With The Flow: Women’s Cycle Awareness!

I’m passing down your information to the next generation by sharing it with my daughter on how to best work with her menstrual cycles.

Jess: What platforms are you on, and what work are you currently doing?

Shelby: I release a new perimenopause article weekly. I’m the queen of TMI in more ways than one. I take a deep dive into perimenopause topics, one at a time. These articles take time to write, but I thoroughly enjoy the process and have met some wonderful people, such as yourself.

As far as platforms, I’m having a blast on Instagram’s Threads talking about perimenopause with 13,000+ followers. I answer their questions, we validate each other, I offer tips, and we laugh about those quirky, weird experiences that can come up. I’m also on Instagram and Facebook, although I find it harder to have meaningful conversations here.

I also recently founded the Women’s Health 365 Collective on Substack to categorize and promote women’s health articles and writers. You inspired me to start this when you called out Substack for not having a women’s health category.

I have twins, and now I have twin Substack publications.

Jess: Shelby you are doing a lot for the world of perimenopausal women.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this very important topic and for all the amazing work that you are doing to educate women.

Shelby: Thank you again for this opportunity! This was so much fun and a joy for me to share what I know and help women feel less alone navigating all of this.

If anyone has questions, I invite them to reach out. Anyone who subscribes to The Periprofessional can reply to any newsletter email and reach me directly.

Please click on Shelby’s informative and humorous substack where you can find loads of valuable perimenopause education.

*hint—The website is much more extensive than the app with lots of free information. Subscribing to Shelby is totally free and you will be in the know of all things perimenopause. Love what you find in the free tier, get even more by becoming a paid subscriber and also help her continue to do the great work she has begun.

Some of my favorite articles to peruse:

If you are in your late 30’s to early 50’s, you may have heard me describe it as being in the season of Fall. The life phase of Fall. Or the wild woman archetype.

If you are thinking, “I just don’t feel like myself”, you are not alone. In fact most women in perimenopause are saying this exact quote. Check out Shelby’s popular post Just Not Feeling Like Myself.

Another top mention from her top read articles Vocab for Perimenopause Brain and a great example of her informative articles with a relatable humorous… what’s that word?… slant? no… take, her humorous take. Seriously, my brain really just did that as I was typing.

And last but not least, especially if you are new to the world of all things peri, Shelby breaks down the perimenopause vocabulary that we hear on socials and in the medical community. It is a very comprehensive dictionary tool to sort out all the fancy words. And she has termed it— the Vagtionary.

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• The Women’s Health 365 Collective is a curated Substack site that is open to writers and readers of all things women’s health. Here you will find many articles on topics from mental health, menstrual health, medical conditions, eating disorders and more…

Perimenopause is quite a journey. Aren’t we glad we don’t have to do it alone?

Go With The Flow,

Medical disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is intended to provide information, not substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. All opinions remain the opinions of the author and do not constitute medical advice.