Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry is taking on menopause, advocating for increased awareness and proper treatment for women experiencing this significant life stage. Berry's personal battles prompted her advocacy and led to the formation of Respin, her new initiative focusing on providing reliable and comprehensive information about menopause.
During discussions with TIME, Berry expressed her frustrations about the neglect surrounding menopause, stating, "When we are done making babies, we’re left to fend for ourselves. No one cares about us any more." She highlighted the lack of education doctors receive about menopause during their training, stating, "Every practitioner should know about the menopausal body. Women are living to their 80s, and menopause can start in your 40s. We spend half our lifetimes in it now." Berry argues this discrepancy results from sexism and ageism, leaving women feeling unsupported.
Berry has been vocal about the urgent need for more research and funding to address the realities of menopause. She pointed out the embarrassing dearth of information available to women and the failure of the medical community to provide adequate guidance. “We refuse to understandthat menopause is a thing. It's a very important time...when she needs to be cared for and understand what is happening to her body,” she remarked.
The conversation surrounding women's health issues extends beyond menopause. Many women also grapple with eating disorders during pregnancy, compounding anxiety about body image and nutritional needs. It is estimated about 5% of pregnant individuals experience eating disorders, which often remain hidden due to social stigma.
Dr. Pernille Yilmam, founder of Mind Blossom, describes this phenomenon: "EDs are notorious for embedding people’s minds with negative beliefs about themselves..." The societal expectation of perfection, especially for mothers, exacerbates this issue. According to Allyson Ford, an eating disorder and OCD therapist, the internalized notion of the “perfect mother myth” imposes significant pressure on pregnant individuals. She notes, "This harmful social construct says mothers must be nothing but joyful and energized...so many birthing parents with eating disorders suffer in silence."
Berry's efforts are directed not only at raising awareness but also at enacting change within the medical curriculum itself. By putting pressure on educational institutions, she aims to reshape the medical community’s approach to menopause. “After I get the bill passed in D.C. for more research and clinical trials, I’m going to the universities and putting pressure on them too,” she insists. "This isn’t just for gynecologists. This isn’t bikini medicine. Every doctor should understand the effect of hormonal changes on women's bodies throughout their lives.”
Meanwhile, the stories of women struggling with eating disorders during pregnancy highlight the importance of destigmatizing these discussions. The pressure to conform to the ideal mother image can lead to silence around serious issues, such as mental health and eating habits. Acknowledging this stigma is as pivotal as advocating for menopause awareness, creating spaces where women can discuss their concerns openly.
Berry’s Respin aims to provide such spaces, offering health coaching and expert advice on nutrition and wellness for women throughout different stages of menopause and motherhood. "Women can get whatever level of support and care they need," she explains, emphasizing the importance of having access to resources and community support.
With growing recognition of the health challenges women face as they transition through different life stages, Berry's voice resonates more than ever. Her advocacy campaign aims to change the narrative around menopause and women's health, promoting empowerment and adequate care for all women. This movement recognizes women must demand more from the systems intended to serve them, as Berry puts it: "We women have to start demanding more. That’s who I am today: a woman demanding more. I am demanding more because we deserve more."
These conversations not only serve to raise awareness but also encourage women to prioritize their health, challenge established norms, and advocate for accessible, quality healthcare at every stage of life.