Dr. Jessica Shepherd has built a dynamic career at the intersection of clinical practice, media, and entrepreneurship—all with a singular mission: to empower women with knowledge about their health. As a board-certified OB/GYN, women’s health expert, and author of Generation M, she has become a trusted voice in addressing the complexities of perimenopause and menopause. Through her work, she is shifting the narrative around aging, ensuring that women feel seen, supported, and informed at every stage of life.
We spoke with Dr. Shepherd about what led her to focus on midlife health, the essential conversations that are still missing, and how women can take control of their well-being during perimenopause and menopause.
Bridging the Gaps in Women’s Health
Nina Westbrook: You’ve had such a diverse career in women’s health—from clinical practice to entrepreneurship and serving as a trusted voice in the media. What inspired you to focus on women’s health, especially perimenopause and menopause, and how has your approach to helping women through that journey evolved over the years?
Dr. Jessica Shepherd: The opportunities I have been given are outstanding, and have allowed me to reach so many women for which I am exceptionally grateful. Every step has proven another beautiful way to give women the best knowledge on their health while feeling empowered. I have had so many patients over the years notice that they were feeling changes that were not able to be addressed and they were not feeling seen during the midlife phase – I knew it was an area in life that needed to be paid more attention to.
Also, as I forged into the wellness atmosphere, I realized that there is so much integrated into our experiences as we age, and I wanted to find a way to accomplish this. How we approach aging should be with confidence and strength and that is not currently what is portrayed in society. My ultimate goal is to construct a view of life that promotes longevity.
NW: With Generation M, you address the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. What key message do you want women to take away from your book, and how can it empower them through these life stages?
JS: The unique challenges that women face in this transition are so diversified and often include emotional and physical changes that are not anticipated. This can be frustrating, defeating and overwhelming for many. Generation M is written for a diverse community of women that shares the biological changes that occur, but also the best in medical education as well as holistic ways to approach each obstacle.
My objective with Generation M was to ensure that women knew their journeys were their own and they could read it with a full array of options for management in the perimenopausal and menopausal phases. 40% of our lives are spent in the postmenopausal phase and women should have the ability to make empowered choices around their health.
Breaking the Silence on Perimenopause and Menopause
NW: Many women may not recognize the early signs of perimenopause. What are some common symptoms women should be aware of, and how can they distinguish between normal, expected changes and those they should be concerned about during this transition?
JS: In the perimenopausal phase, the symptoms are often infrequent, inconsistent and hard to link to the actual change in hormones, but women most commonly experience hot flashes, night sweats, changes in their cycles, sleep disturbances and mood changes. There are also other uncommon symptoms, such as itchy skin and ringing in the ears, among others, that can often occur when hormones start to fluctuate. Ultimately, these conversations will create more awareness around the beginning stages of perimenopause and allow women to better prepare.
NW: As a women’s health advocate, what do you believe is missing in the conversation around perimenopause and menopause that could help women feel more informed and supported?
JS: I feel there are many things missing in this conversation as it has been stigmatized for so long, and women’s health issues are often overlooked. Women have long not prioritized their health as they take care of others first, ignore symptoms and have been dismissed when discomfort is brought up. The perimenopause and menopause phase also includes a mind/body disconnect and many are unprepared for that disruption.
Generation M is a guide for going on this journey with mental clarity and mindfulness, allowing women to have agency in their decisions during perimenopause.
Actionable Steps for Managing Symptoms
NW: Hormonal shifts during menopause can impact both mental and physical health. What are 2 – 3 simple, actionable steps women can take to manage the symptoms you mentioned like hot flashes, emotional ups and downs, or sleep disturbances without immediately needing a doctor’s intervention?
JS: Prioritizing mental well-being during this transition is crucial, as studies show that focusing on mental health can significantly help women manage irritability, anxiety, and depression. Self-regulatory practices can help women focus when experiencing menopausal symptoms and have positive psycho-behavioral effects.
Although hormone replacement therapy is often the best way to combat hormonal shifts and decline in perimenopause and menopause, mind-body approaches have shown to be efficacious for the improvement of sleep and reducing hot flashes.
NW: How do hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause affect libido, and what can women do to maintain a healthy sex drive?
JS: Decreased libido is more common than one would think in this phase, and approximately 10-15% of perimenopausal women report changes in sexual desire. This occurs due to both a decline in estrogen and testosterone and is important to discuss as part of this stage in life.
A healthy six drive can be addressed with hormone replacement of estrogen and testosterone namely, and it’s ideal for women to start earlier than later. There are also medications that address libido in women – filbanserin and bremelanotide have been shown to help women in their sexual wellness journey.
Join the Conversation
At Bene by Nina, we believe in fostering open, honest discussions about the realities of women’s health. Follow along as we continue to highlight the voices of experts like Dr. Jessica Shepherd, bringing you the insights and tools you need to navigate every stage of life with confidence.
For more on Dr. Shepherd’s work, check out Generation M and follow her advocacy for women’s health across her platforms.
