Menopause Takes the Lead

Interviews & Essays - August 28, 2022

By Womaness Editors 3-Minute Read

Have the last few months felt dizzying when it comes to hearing more about menopause in pop culture? It was only in January 2020 (in a piece penned by Womaness Woman Monica Corcoran Harel) that The Hollywood Reporter argued that Hollywood's silence about menopause perpetuated silence among women. Fast forward to September 2021—just as the likes of Jean Smart, Debbie Allen, Kate Winslet, Olivia Coleman, and Hannah Waddingham racked up Emmy Awards—and the New York Times declared that we’re seeing better and more representations of older women in film and TV than ever before.

What happened in between?

The healthiest, wealthiest, most active, most won't-stay-silent generation in history made it to menopause, that’s what happened.

In the planning period before our March 2021 launch as the first modern menopause brand, we knew our battle would be uphill. But we also knew that, as women in this stage of life, we deserved to be heard, served, and finally celebrated. And it’s become apparent that other women—including celebrities with access to large platforms—feel the same, as we’re watching more actresses openly discuss menopause in the media while creating memorable roles on screen and even supporting (and launching!) menopause companies of their own.

It’s about time, right?

Steps like these are vital. Seeing ourselves represented is important. While there’s still much work to do, we’re proud to be part of this change. We enthusiastically support our sisters in menopause—in Hollywood and otherwise—and encourage us all to continue to speak up. Because this conversation is getting good. And we’re just getting started.

YOUR FAVORITES SPEAK UP

“[Perimenopause] is really bizarre, but it is the most glorious invitation into a new season and chapter in my life…. I’m the sexiest I’ve ever been. And when I say that, I mean I feel the most myself.”

- Tracee Ellis Ross to Harper's Bazaar

“My weight fluctuates due to my perimenopause and my hormones etc. so it was suggested I give up gluten, dairy, alcohol and caffeine to help regulate my hormones and lessen the memory fog, moodiness, insomnia, hair loss, bloating and all the other fun 😵‍💫side effects. I stuck to the no gluten and dairy cuz I’m ya know, human. I reserve the right to fluctuate 🖤❤️”

– Gabrielle Union, who hit perimenopause in her 30s

“So many women I’ve talked to see menopause as a blessing. I’ve discovered that this is your moment to reinvent yourself after years of focusing on the needs of everyone else.”

– Oprah Winfrey

“It’s time to see women in this phase of life or this age group be well represented. We’ve been under-served in media, stories and marketing far too long. Particularly since more than 1 billion people worldwide will be menopausal by 2025… When you spotlight uncomfortable conversations, they get easier. Progress is made. Why has this particular one taken so long?”

– Naomi Watts

“[Menopausal women] are more empowered, more intimidating and more sexy, because we know what we want…

– Paulina Porizkova to The Mail+

"You can kick ass at any age... You can hold your own at any age, you can dream at any age, you can be romantic at any age. We have the right to be loved for who we are at the place that we are. We're not just here to make babies, we're not just here to baby the man. We're not just here to service everything and everyone around us and then when the kids go away ... it's almost like the expiration date for the eggs means an expiration date for you as a woman. It's a misunderstanding that has been going around for centuries."

– Salma Hayek on Red Table Talk

“I am in the middle of a hot flash. You see me, sweating like this? What the hell?”

– Wanda Sykes, having a hot flash (and keeping it real) on live TV