Menopause Stress Can Kill You Behind the Wheel

I’ve always prided myself on being fearless behind the wheel. As a car journalist, driving is my arena, my therapy, my stage. Yet, menopause has driven straight into my life with the force of a 600-horsepower supercar, slamming the brakes on my confidence. Stress behind the wheel, paired with the hormonal hurricane of menopause, has become a dangerous cocktail, and I’m here to talk about it—not from a place of despair, but with the voice of a woman who knows how to laugh through tears while holding onto the leather steering wheel of life.

Hormones, Road Rage, and Fatigue

Let me start by saying this: menopause is not for the faint-hearted. It creeps up on you like an unmarked speed camera. One moment you’re cruising through life, and the next, you’re jolted by sleepless nights, hot flashes, and inexplicable fatigue. Add to that the task of navigating Italy’s labyrinthine roads, where street signs seem like optional decor, and you have a recipe for stress that could make even the calmest driver scream into their GPS.

Yesterday, I experienced a near miss—an incident that left my hands shaking and my heart pounding as though I’d just escaped a high-speed chase. The culprit? My own stress levels. Hormones are wreaking havoc on my sleep, leaving me so exhausted that even the simplest roundabout feels like a Formula 1 circuit.

When Life Piles On

Stress doesn’t arrive with a polite knock. It barges in, bringing chaos with it. My car broke down last week, forcing me to rent unfamiliar vehicles. Normally, I’d relish the chance to test-drive something new. This time, I felt like I was piloting a spaceship. The lack of familiarity with the controls, coupled with sleepless nights and homeschooling two teenage daughters, left me frazzled before I even left the driveway.

As a woman who loves opulence, I’ve built a life around control, comfort, and beauty. Driving, a Bentley for me, was always an extension of that—a place where I felt powerful and untouchable. But menopause doesn’t care about my love for fine Italian leather interiors or the purr of a well-tuned engine. It strips you down, tests your limits, and forces you to rethink even the things you once mastered.

The Day It All Went Wrong

Yesterday was the pinnacle. I knew I shouldn’t have driven. I could feel the tension in my shoulders before I even started the car. Yet, there I was, navigating the narrow streets of Tuscany in a rental. My vision blurred slightly from lack of sleep, my mind foggy from hormonal shifts. A missed road sign and an impatient driver honking behind me nearly sent me careening off the road.

When I finally pulled over, I sat gripping the steering wheel, tears streaming down my face, mascara smudged—what a glamorous breakdown that was. It hit me: stress isn’t just inconvenient; it’s dangerous. Menopause had turned my once-joyous drives into a gauntlet.

Lessons Learned from the Chaos

Looking back, I can laugh—mostly because I have to. What’s life without humor, especially when you’re navigating something as absurd and relentless as menopause? But humor aside, I learned some valuable lessons that I’ll share with anyone in my shoes.

1. Know Your Limits

Menopause doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. If you feel unsteady, don’t force yourself to drive. There’s no shame in calling a cab or staying home. Yesterday, I should have done just that instead of braving the chaos.

2. Embrace Routine

Unfamiliar cars may excite my inner journalist, but right now, they’re adding unnecessary stress. I’ve decided to stick to a car I know well—one that feels like an extension of me, not an alien spacecraft.

3. Sleep Is Non-Negotiable

Sleepless nights may be a hallmark of menopause, but I’ve committed to creating a sanctuary for rest. Lavender sprays, silk pillowcases, blackout curtains—whatever it takes to get some decent shut-eye.

4. Make Humor Your Copilot

When all else fails, laugh. Laugh at the chaos, at the absurdity of life, at the hormonal circus playing out inside you. Laughter won’t fix the stress, but it will lighten the load.

Finding Joy Again

I refuse to let menopause steal my joy behind the wheel. Driving has always been a part of my identity, a way to explore the world and indulge my love for all things luxurious. So, I’m taking back control. I’ve scheduled a spa day for my car—and for me. New tires for the car, a massage for me. Both of us deserve a little TLC.

I’m also embracing mindfulness. A pre-drive ritual now includes deep breaths, calming music, and a reminder that I’m still in control. Menopause may throw me curveballs, but I’ve mastered tougher roads than this.

The Bigger Picture

Stress kills—figuratively and literally. Menopause amplifies it, making everyday tasks feel monumental. But acknowledging the challenges is the first step to overcoming them. Whether you’re navigating a midlife hormonal shift or just a particularly stressful week, remember this: you’re not alone. Women everywhere are juggling, laughing, crying, and surviving.

So, to all my fellow drivers—both of cars and of life—let’s keep our hands steady, our hearts open, and our humor intact. Stress may be a sneaky passenger, but it doesn’t get to take the wheel. Only we do.