Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) sends about 4% of women into premature menopause before the age of 40. Yet, the condition is little understood and for those experiencing it, incredibly isolating. This week we talk about the struggles women with premature menopause face with athlete and entrepreneur Christy Napolitano Wernau, who experienced premature menopause at age 38. We also talk with her doctor, national expert and leader in menopause, Jewel Kling, MD, MPH, about the unique care women with premature menopause require, especially when it comes to menopausal hormone therapy.

Christy Napolitano Wernau is an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate for women’s health. With 27 years of experience at McDonald’s, she became a franchise owner, managing multiple restaurants and teams. She serves as a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), contributing to impactful community work. Diagnosed with premature ovarian failure and experiencing menopause at 38, she is passionate about raising awareness and building a supportive community for women navigating non-traditional menopause. A dedicated wife, fitness enthusiast, and mother, she balances her personal and professional life with a love for travel and wellness. Currently, she’s pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership with a minor in sociology, and she’s an advocate for self-growth and resilience.

Jewel Kling, MD, MPH, is a Professor of Medicine, Chair of the Division of Women’s Health Internal Medicine, Assistant Director of the Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Center and Dean of the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine AZ campus at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her clinical and research interests are in menopause, sexual health, LGBT care, education, as well as efforts to expand the discipline of Sex and Gender specific medicine. Dr. Kling is recognized as an institutional and national expert and leader in menopause. She is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, a fellow and board member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), and board member of the American Medical Women’s Association Sex and Gender Health Collaborative. She is also part of the transgender and intersex specialty clinic committee at Mayo Clinic Arizona and has been a past co-chair of the LGBTI Mayo Employee Resource Group.

Resources

Premature ovarian insufficiency (sciencedirectassets.com)

Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/

Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause

Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

Support our Partners:

Eternal - Get 15% off their services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co

Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Previnex: Get 15% off your first order with code HITPLAY at https://www.previnex.com/

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr