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Halle Berry’s ‘MasterClass’ Teaches Us to Embrace Menopause


You in all probability know Oscar-winning actor Halle Berry from her well-known roles in movies like Monster’s Ball, Introducing Dorothy Dandridgeand X-Males. However chances are you’ll not have been conscious that there is one thing she’s simply as captivated with past the silver display—menopause. And he or she has a superb purpose for it. When Berry was 54, a physician misdiagnosed her perimenopause (the pure transitional interval earlier than menopause) as herpes, which made her understand that not solely is menopause not talked about sufficient, however the lack of training round it’s also why it is so stigmatized. So, she took issues into her personal palms.

Consultants In This Article

  • Jen Gunter, MD, OB/GYN, ache medication doctor, sexual well being advocate, and New York Occasions bestselling creator

In 2020, Berry launched RESPIN, an internet site devoted to sharing information and shedding stigma about menopause. She later performed an essential position on Capitol Hill, advocating for a brand new invoice referred to as the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Girls’s Well being Act, which was launched to each the Senate and Home of Representatives earlier this 12 months. The laws goals to speculate sources into analysis, coaching, and training for menopause and different mid-life well being issues that have an effect on ladies. Now, Berry is again with one other advocacy challenge: partnering with MasterClass for a brand new course referred to as “The Magic of Menopause,” which premiered on December 5 and is now obtainable to observe with a membership.

Berry joins co-instructors neuroscientist Emily Jacobs, Ph.D., OB/GYN Jen Gunter, M.D., psychologist Lori Brotto, Ph.D., and psychiatrist Judith Joseph, M.D., MBA for a dialogue on navigating menopause and understanding the transition to this subsequent section of life. We watched the category, and listed below are 10 issues we’re begging you to learn about it.

1. You are not the one one who feels uninformed

If you happen to grew up within the American training system, you in all probability had your first intercourse training class in fourth or fifth grade. However outdoors of the fundamentals of your anatomy, puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and being pregnant, chances are you’ll not have discovered a lot about your physique, particularly because it will get older. To be honest, how many people have been actually concerned with what our our bodies would appear and feel like in our 40s and past? Nonetheless, that does not imply that the training wasn’t crucial, as a result of it completely is. And that is seemingly why there’s nonetheless such a spot in information about menopause.

One survey printed final 12 months in Submit Reproductive Well being discovered that 94 p.c of girls had by no means been taught concerning the menopausal transition in class, and 49 p.c felt utterly uninformed about menopause. Working example.

Berry can also be part of this group of uninformed (or underinformed) group of girls. In her class, she discusses how tough it was for her to know what precisely was occurring to her physique and explains that she did not learn about perimenopause (and menopause) till she was 5 years into experiencing signs. (FYI, perimenopause can last as long as 10 years.)

“It was horrifying that if I had such little info, I solely imagined how tens of millions of girls around the globe had the identical little info,” says Berry. So should you really feel like you do not know a lot concerning the transition to menopause both, remind your self that you simply’re not on an island with a inhabitants of 1. It is a sea of individuals on the market who aren’t conscious of what occurs throughout menopause, so it is a good suggestion to maintain studying and discover out what extra you should know.

2. Nobody goes by means of menopause the identical approach

You might need been in fifth grade if you received your first interval, however your greatest good friend did not expertise her first cramps till freshman 12 months of highschool. Otherwise you might need had an uncontrollable longing for tomatoes if you have been pregnant along with your firstborn, however could not even take a look at the sight of ketchup throughout your second being pregnant. Identical to how experiences of menstruation and being pregnant can look completely different from individual to individual, so can menopause.

“Our experiences with menopause are simply as particular person as we’re,” explains Berry. What age you begin menopause, which signs you develop, and the way you resolve to handle your signs are all going to range. So do not play the comparability sport with another person going by means of menopause, as an alternative, focus your consideration on how your physique feels and what you are able to do to ease the transition for you.

3. Menopause is definitely only a single day

It’s possible you’ll be stunned to know that menopause is a single occasion that occurs on in the future. You sometimes do not know what day you skilled menopause till it is the one-year anniversary of your final menstrual interval. Don’t fret, we have been confused at first, too. We hear individuals speaking about going by means of menopause, which may usually sound prefer it’s one thing that lasts for a number of years. However that is not precisely true, so let’s break down every stage of your reproductive well being:

  • Reproductive section: The interval of your life that begins after your first interval up till you start perimenopause, which may last as long as 40 years
  • PerimenopauseThe section that happens if you first begin experiencing adjustments in your menstrual cycle till one 12 months after your last interval, which may last as long as 10 years
  • MenopauseThe singular occasion that occurs on the day of your final interval, which happens someday between 45 and 55 years of age
  • PostmenopauseThe stage of your life that takes place proper after menopause, which lasts for the rest of your lifetime

4. Signs could not all the time be what you count on

Scorching flashes. It is all the time the primary symptom you consider if you hear about menopause. And whereas it is true that many individuals who undergo menopause develop scorching flashes, there are a number of different signs you may expertise that you could be not have anticipated. When Berry entered her stage of perimenopause, she talked about how the signs led to a really complicated interval of her life. “I used to be turning into any individual that I knew I wasn’t, however I had no clarification as to why,” she says.

Dr. Gunter, OB/GYN, bestselling creator of The Vagina Bible, The Menopause Manifesto, and Blood, and one of many co-instructors of the category explains that the confusion round signs is a standard phenomenon. “I believe lots of people have been led to falsely consider that signs should not occur till your final interval, however many, many individuals have signs earlier than,” she notes.

Listed below are some signs chances are you’ll know you may expertise if you attain perimenopause and menopause, and some that you simply won’t learn about in any respect:

  • Scorching flashes
  • Menstrual adjustments, similar to an extended or shorter period of your interval or heavier or lighter movement
  • Evening sweats
  • Bother sleeping
  • Melancholy and anxiousness
  • Temper swings
  • Joint ache
  • Mind fog
  • Forgetfulness or issue with reminiscence
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Urinary incontinence or an overactive bladder
  • Adjustments in weight
  • Fatigue and lethargy

However why do these occur? If you enter the menopausal transition, your ovaries begin to produce much less and fewer estrogen—a intercourse hormone that regulates the feminine reproductive system but additionally performs an essential position in different elements of your physique, like your coronary heart, mind, pores and skin, urinary tract, and bones. So if you lose estrogen, your physique will begin to react with signs that happen when the lack of estrogen begins affecting different organs in your physique (and never simply your reproductive system). That is why you see such all kinds of signs listed above. However take note: this does not essentially imply that you’re going to expertise each single considered one of these signs—these are simply among the extra widespread indicators.

5. There are a number of remedy choices to think about

As a result of menopause could cause an assortment of signs, chances are you’ll need to think about all of your choices for symptom administration. Whereas a number of therapies exist, “estrogen is the gold normal,” says Dr. Gunter. Estrogen is a type of hormone alternative remedy, which is efficient for a wide range of perimenopause and menopause signs like scorching flashes and evening sweats (that are referred to as vasomotor signs). Nevertheless, not everybody desires to go down the hormonal remedy route. Excellent news: different choices can be found.

In 2023, the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) accredited a drugs referred to as Veozah (fezolinetant), which particularly treats scorching flashes. Nevertheless, healthcare suppliers can even advocate antidepressants like Paxil (paroxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) to supply aid to scorching flashes and evening sweats. Antidepressants, nonetheless, can even assist deal with signs of melancholy should you’re experiencing depressive moods throughout your menopausal transition. Different drugs can be prescribed off-label for vasomotor signs, similar to Horizant (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin), and Oxytrol (oxybutynin).

Whereas these therapies all appear nice, it is essential to know which drugs can profit you probably the most. To be taught which remedy choices are secure and efficient for you, discuss to your healthcare supplier for individualized suggestions.

6. Having a therapist in your healthcare group is a good suggestion

Most people who find themselves experiencing perimenopause or menopause normally make use of the providers of healthcare suppliers like their main care doctor (PCP) and obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN). However having a psychological well being skilled in your repertoire of suppliers could also be extra useful than you suppose.

Dr. Joseph, a psychiatrist and co-instructor of the category, recommends working with a educated skilled like a psychologist or therapist to assist handle signs. Now you could be pondering, “Properly, what can remedy do to assist with menopause?” Seems, it will possibly do so much.

The American Psychological Affiliation (APA) explains that psychological and emotional help throughout menopause will help ease the transition to this subsequent section of life. Therapists can present extra training about menopause that will help you really feel extra knowledgeable, supply stress administration methods to assist scale back anxiousness, melancholy, and irritability that menopause could cause, and train you evidenced-based practices like metacognition and cognitive behavioral remedy that will help you reframe any dangerous ideas and emotions you are experiencing about menopause.

Satisfied? If you happen to’re able to strive remedy and do not know the place to start out, contact your healthcare supplier about any in-network psychological well being professionals they’ll refer you to. It’s also possible to ask for suggestions from family members or use on-line directories just like the Nationwide Register and APA’s Psychologist Locator for psychological well being professionals in your space.

7. Libido can fluctuate, however sexual communication ought to stay fixed

Information flash: you are still a sexual being even if you age. “We will be taught to take pleasure in intercourse and really feel pleasure nicely into the older years,” says Dr. Brotto, psychologist and co-instructor of the category. However, it is value noting that your libido can change throughout (and after) perimenopause and menopause.

Some individuals discover a spike of their sexual want, whereas others could not need to interact in a lot intercourse in any respect. Wherever you fall on that spectrum is regular. However what’s most essential is studying find out how to talk your sexual wants along with your accomplice, and speaking by means of any sexual well being issues along with your healthcare supplier. Nevertheless, sexual communication is not all the time straightforward, so the following tips will help you get the dialog going:

  • Create a secure area for you and your accomplice(s) to speak about your sexual wants
  • Use “I” statements to elucidate what does (or would not) really feel good to you
  • Be open along with your accomplice(s) should you discover a change in your libido
  • Suggest instruments that may assist make intercourse extra comfy for you, like lubricant should you’re experiencing vaginal dryness or ache after intercourse
  • Speak to your supplier about any intercourse issues you have got—and do not feel ashamed to convey them up

Being weak about your sexual well-being can typically be difficult. However should you begin to acknowledge that your sexual well being is simply one other part of your total well being, speaking about intercourse and letting your self take pleasure in it will possibly grow to be simpler.

8. Your physique composition goes to alter—and that is okay

One factor about your physique is for positive: it’ll change because it goes by means of the various completely different phases of life. As psychologist and co-instructor, Dr. Jacobs, says, “Everybody good points weight as they become older; that is only a regular a part of the ageing course of.” And present process menopause is not any completely different.

As you begin to lose estrogen and start to expertise hormonal adjustments through the menopausal transition, chances are you’ll acquire some unintended weight. Berry recollects pondering to herself, “I am consuming the identical approach I all the time used to eat, after which, [the weight gain] occurred.” However there’s an essential good thing about the slight weight acquire, and all of it has to do with maintaining your mind wholesome. Bear in mind once we mentioned that estrogen (or a scarcity thereof) can have an effect on your mind and trigger signs like anxiousness and mind fog? Properly, Dr. Jacobs explains that adipose tissue (aka your physique fats) can launch a hormone that mimics the position that estrogen performs in your mind.

Nevertheless, the change in weight is not the one transition your physique composition goes by means of: you may additionally expertise some bone loss. However why, precisely? Estrogen is a vital hormone that is wanted to construct robust bones. All through your life, your physique is in a relentless cycle of constructing bone and shedding bone. However when your estrogen supply depletes, you are shedding extra bone than you are constructing, which may increase your threat of bone illnesses like osteopenia (a lower in bone density) and osteoporosis (a situation that causes your bones to weaken).

That is why Dr. Gunter is such a proponent of speaking about bone well being a lot earlier than you attain menopause. “You are constructing your bone financial institution till you are 27 or 28, and after [that] you progressively lose bone,” Dr. Gunter tells Properly+Good. She notes that preserving your bone well being all through your life is vital, not simply if you’re coming into perimenopause. Her recommendation? “If I may persuade each younger lady to start out doing weight-bearing train and resistance coaching, that might be implausible,” she provides. However keep in mind, even should you’re older, it is by no means too late to start out including these workouts to your routine.

9. Bear in mind to contain your help system

Getting into the menopausal transition might be an anxiety-inducing time, nevertheless it’s essential to not let your self endure in silence. Cultural stigma round menopause has led many ladies to really feel ashamed about their our bodies and consider that menopause is the important thing that opens the door to a interval of decline and a lack of significance in society. In actuality, that is simply not true. As an alternative, Dr. Joseph recommends reframing the best way all of us view menopause. “I would like you to look ahead to getting older [and] dismiss the parable that you simply’re not worthwhile,” she notes.

This stigma is what prohibits ladies from sharing their experiences or issues with their family members. However you want an area to speak about one thing that half of the worldwide inhabitants goes by means of. So do not be afraid of opening up a dialogue. You do not have to scream from the highest of the mountains that you simply’re in menopause (though, you completely can!), you may also simply convey up the subject with a trusted confidant like your sister, shut good friend, or accomplice. Enable your self to really feel heard and supported—and it is okay to start out small, so long as you are beginning.

10. Be your largest advocate

If there’s one factor that Berry desires you to remove from this class, it is that it’s important to advocate for your self at each probability you get. “We have now to appreciate it is okay to place our well being on the forefront of our life,” she says.

Sadly, many ladies are sometimes dismissed after they discuss their signs with their suppliers. In line with the 2022 KFF Girls’s Well being Survey, almost 30 p.c of girls reported that their supplier dismissed or ignored their issues. However what are you able to do to alter this? Berry has two essential suggestions: 1) examine menopause so you possibly can go into your appointments understanding what you want out of your supplier (searching by means of The Menopause Society is an effective begin), and a couple of) do not be afraid to change your supplier should you really feel such as you’re not being heard.

Self-advocacy can look completely different for everybody, whether or not that is educating your self, taking notes throughout your appointments, or getting a second opinion from one other supplier. No matter it’s you select, hearken to your physique and belief your self to know what it wants. Who says you possibly can’t put your self first throughout your second act, proper?


Properly+Good articles reference scientific, dependable, latest, strong research to again up the data we share. You may belief us alongside your wellness journey.


  1. Aljumah, Rawan et al. “An internet survey of postmenopausal ladies to find out their attitudes and information of the menopause.” Submit reproductive well being vol. 29,2 (2023): 67-84. doi:10.1177/20533691231166543

  2. Delgado BJ, Lopez-Ojeda W. Estrogen. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Accessible from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538260/

  3. Hetemäki, Natalia et al. “Adipose tissue estrogen manufacturing and metabolism in premenopausal ladies.” The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology vol. 209 (2021): 105849. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105849



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