What Is The Periprofessional?

Your perimenopause support system

Feb 07, 2025

Hiya, it’s Shelby!

I was so excited when I kicked off The Periprofessional in May 2024 that I didn’t take a moment to introduce myself. I probably should have started there, but with so many interesting perimenopause topics to dive into, I thought it would be more fun to jump right in.

I started with 0 subscribers, and now, thanks to all of you, I have subscribers from all 50 states and 45 countries! It’s wild to think I’ve gone so long and haven’t written an article about what and who is The Periprofessional yet.

But I’m going to “peri pause” my own newsletter so that you can meet me a bit. Here I am, ready to connect with you all!

Me in February 2025. A tank top is the official uniform of a perimenopausal woman.

What is The Periprofessional™?

A name

The term "periprofessional" is a playful blend of "perimenopause" and "professional." It originated as a joke when my husband casually suggested it while we were brainstorming names for the new company and service I was starting. The moment he said it, I knew it was the right name. It’s perfectly me.

At that time, the idea of creating a free resource for the best perimenopause information was still in its early stages. I’ve always been an advocate for women's health, and I wasn’t happy that menopause was turning into a big business, essentially locking out women from information who couldn’t afford it. I noticed how businesses were overreaching, transforming what should be a public health service into a marketing opportunity.

It was crucial for me to establish a place where information could be freely provided and open-access to everyone and wasn’t supported by ads or affiliate links.

I wanted to create a place where the focus was on learning about perimenopause without the distractions of constant pop-up ads or shady products. I also wanted creative control without the pressure of an outsider calling the shots. This is not a gimmick; it had to be genuine.

A company

The Periprofessional, LLC was established in 2024 to support women in perimenopause and beyond.

Our purpose:

At the heart of our mission is a passionate commitment to build your perimenopause confidence by providing trustworthy information, expert guidance, and practical resources, all delivered in an engaging and relatable way.

Together, we’ll maneuver through the hormonal adaptations of perimenopause and uplift you to embrace this change with courage.

The Periprofessional is a small business that caters to perimenopause and menopausal women and individuals through personal and group consultations, workshops, speaking engagements, public health training, and this online writing platform.

Having previously owned and operated several successful businesses, I know how important it is to first define what the company stands for before opening your doors. One of the things it does is help me make decisions based on company values and culture instead of my emotions or being momentarily swayed by external pressures.

What does the company value?

Integrity 🌺 Relatable 🌺 Knowledgeable 🌺 Non-judgmental 🌺 Trustworthy 🌺 Compassionate 🌺 Reliable 🌺 Whimsy

A Substack publication & website

Substack is an online writing platform where I share my articles, and they get emailed straight to you. I write free articles that educate on one perimenopause topic weekly. This is valuable content that I provide because it’s important to me that accurate information gets into the right hands.

Although it’s free, it pays to subscribe because I write bonus content just for subscribers that non-subscribers won’t find on the website. Plus, you’ll get the articles delivered right to your inbox instead of having to track them down yourself.

However, one downside of having the articles emailed to you is that you miss the additional perimenopause content on the website. I always include the links in the footer of the email, but who goes down that far other than me?!

Other places on the website that may interest you:

Perimenopause, huh? for a list of frequently asked questions
The Vagtionary a female-centric glossary of terms
Which Doctor my memorable guide to medical specialties
Past articles as a sortable list or by perimenopause topic

Me!

I am periprofessional. This website and my company are SO me! I feature the things that are important to me in a way that is important to me. How I write is my personality - part serious, part kooky, infused with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for all things health. It’s a unique mix that I hope helps my voice stand out from the confusion and noise.

Here are some things about me:

I’m a longtime healthcare business professional and health information geek, so it was natural for me to specialize in perimenopause health. I love keeping it real and talking TMI 🎤. As a certified menopause/perimenopause educator and trained health coach, I tell it like it is… facts.
I’m also the proud founder of the Women’s Health 365 Collective, a vibrant community focused on providing accessible information about women’s health on a wide range of topics. The Collective supports women’s health writers and connects them with readers who are passionate about health and wellness.
I’m not just familiar with perimenopause; I’m experiencing it firsthand. Taking the time to research and learn has helped me tremendously, and I’d love to help you, too. I’ll share my extensive and dependable knowledge and save you countless hours of research on your own.
On the personal side, I’m a loyal friend, a twins mom who still occasionally checks if I accidentally mixed up my daughter and son during a brain fog moment, and I’ve been married since 2000. It’s a long-term relationship that makes naps a priority.

If you’d like to learn more about my professional background and hear about my crazy introduction to perimenopause (crazy is an understatement), read about me on my About page.

🎬 The Periprofessional in action:

A service

I’m guessing that perimenopause caught you by surprise. It does to most of us. The sudden unexpectedness can make perimenopause feel like a losing battle, but you can get ahead of it.

Are you dealing with any of these issues?

You don’t know what perimenopause information is real or not, or you don’t know if it applies to you.
You’re overwhelmed by too much information, or it’s confusing or contradicting.
You’re spending too much time and energy researching perimenopause, or you don’t have the time or energy.
The changes you’ve made so far haven’t been working.
You feel ashamed by your symptoms or dismissed by your doctor.
You don’t know where to start or feel stuck.
You’re interested in exploring hormone therapy solutions, but it seems complex.
You're dealing with embarrassing vaginal or bladder issues and don't know who to talk to.

The Periprofessional is your solution to all of the above and more!

The Periprofessional is your supportive ally in all things perimenopause, helping you understand the changes occurring in your body and what to do about it so you can begin to feel better. A conversation with me is customized and caters to your needs and situation. You’ll learn something new that you can apply immediately when you meet with me.

Check out Let’s Chat! for more information about 1:1 personalized perimenopause support! Affordable services with no long-term commitment. Video, audio, email, and text appointments are available.

Learn more about 1:1 services!

As I hope you can tell, increasing awareness about perimenopause is my passion, right above eating dark chocolate and annoyingly annoying my family. When Mom’s hot, everyone needs to chill out.

Thanks for indulging me for a bit this week. Next week, it’s back to talking about things that happen in perimenopause and why - because who doesn’t love a little hormonal rollercoaster? It’s like the world’s worst amusement park ride, and I'm your ride operator!

Be well, stay cool…