Halle Berry advocates for menopause awareness and women’s health, challenging societal expectations by openly discussing her own experiences as she moves into a new chapter of her career. Berry’s efforts to spotlight challenges faced by midlife women have continued despite being warned against sharing her story in public forums.
Defying Pressure to Conceal Menopause Experiences
As a prominent actress and women’s health advocate, Halle Berry detailed in a recent interview the resistance she encountered after speaking about menopause. Industry voices warned her against tying her public image to menopause, often suggesting that discussing her symptoms would be a detriment to her career.
“Being an actor, you don’t want to start talking about menopause,”
—Berry, Actress
Berry acknowledged this advice but reasoned that,
“my age is printed before my name every time I read. So it’s not like I can hide it and why should I?”
Despite these warnings, Berry insists there is no shame in confronting her age or her health journey in public discussions about women’s issues.
“But I got the same pushback, ‘Be very careful: You’re going to put yourself in a box,’”
—Berry, Actress
Launching Solutions for Midlife Women’s Health
Earlier this year, Halle Berry turned her advocacy into action by introducing Respin, a digital menopause therapy platform focused on providing research-backed resources and community support. Respin is designed to address the challenges women face during menopause using science-based solutions, and Berry has also entered a partnership with Joylux, a wellness brand dedicated to enhancing intimate health for women navigating midlife.
“I’ve had a 30-year career being an actor, but what empowers me and what feels really good is I can take my second act,”
—Berry, Actress
She stressed the fulfillment she finds in shifting her influence toward improving the lives of other women, stating,
“It’s been the joy of my life in so many ways, but taking the second act and really focusing it on women’s health, I can’t think of a better way to spend my next chapter of my life.”
Personal Journey Inspires Broader Advocacy
Berry began speaking about menopause openly last year, appearing at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit to discuss her journey. After experiencing pelvic pain during intimacy, Berry sought medical help, only to be misdiagnosed with herpes. Once tests confirmed otherwise for both herself and her partner, Van Hunt, the real cause was determined to be perimenopause.
“My doctor had no knowledge and didn’t prepare me,”
—Berry, Actress
Berry realized that there was a gap in medical awareness and education regarding midlife women’s health. This revelation pushed her to use her platform to push for better information and support for others.
“That’s when I knew, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to use my platform, I have to use all of who I am and I have to start making a change and a difference for other women.’”
—Berry, Actress
Sharing Details to Normalize the Conversation
Continuing her advocacy, Berry described the physical symptoms she endured during menopause on national television. On The Drew Barrymore Show, she explained ongoing struggles involving discomfort and physical changes that impacted intimacy with her partner. She credited support from her long-term partner in facing these challenges.
“I did have about six months or seven months [where] we struggled with finding a way to have sex again, getting rid of the dryness, making it more enjoyable because it got pretty rough for a minute,”
—Berry, Actress
A Lasting Impact on Women’s Health Advocacy
Halle Berry’s outspoken approach is expected to break barriers and encourage more public discussions about menopause and women’s health. As an Oscar-winning advocate, she is using her experience and influence to expand support for midlife women through platforms like Respin and partnerships such as Joylux, potentially driving greater awareness, new resources, and less stigma surrounding menopause. Berry’s willingness to confront taboos about topics often left unspoken continues to make waves in the entertainment world and beyond.
