Perimenopause and menopause were once considered taboo topics, but thanks to a growing number of celebrities such as Naomi Watts and Drew Barrymore openly sharing their experiences, discussions about this hormonal stage are more open than ever,
From alleviating night sweats to improving mood and energy levels, hormone therapy is helping women navigate this transformative life stage, and these celebrities are breaking the silence, reducing stigma, and inspiring millions by speaking openly about their hormone therapy journeys.
Naomi Watts: A decade of hormone therapy
© Arturo HolmesActress Naomi Watts, who launched her wellness and menopause skincare brand Stripes last year, has been vocal about her early menopause journey, which began at 36.
During a recent discussion on the Let's Talk Menopause podcast episode with TV presenter, Stacey London, Naomi, who is now 56, credited hormone therapy with helping her manage symptoms such as hot flashes and low energy. "I went on HRT pretty much straight away. I trusted my doctor and I've been on hormone therapy successfully for over a decade.
Kate Winslet: Feeling sexy again
© River CallawayOscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, 48, recently shared she has turned to testosterone therapy as part of her perimenopausal routine.
Kate had a candid chat about midlife and all that comes with it, on the Failing with Friends podcast earlier this month, revealing that she takes testosterone to help make her feel "sexy again."
"Sometimes women have a real dip in libido because there might be stuff going on with their thyroid," Kate told British podcaster Elizabeth Day. "There could also be stuff going on with your level of testosterone.
"A lot of people don't know this, but women have testosterone in their body, when it runs out — like eggs — it's gone," she went on. "And once it's gone you have to replace it, and that is something that can be done and you'll feel sexy again," she said.
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Jane Seymour: Regaining control
© Alberto E. RodriguezBritish actress Jane Seymour told HELLO! in an interview last year, that she was put on menopause hormone therapy (MHT) after experiencing painful sex, a common symptom associated with menopause.
"I made sure with my doctor that I got it accurate," Jane, who is now 73, noted. "I hit menopause between the ages of 50 and 51, which is perfectly normal, and because I didn't have a family history of breast cancer, I was put on HRT.
Jane emphasized that hormones have helped her regain control and helped her feel being on estrogen is her "superpower."
Oprah Winfrey: A new lease of life
© Paul MorigiOprah Winfrey, 70 has often shared her struggles with menopause, including her frustration over undiagnosed symptoms such as heart palpitations and anxiety. After discovering she was in menopause in her late 40s after several consultations with her doctors, Oprah turned to bioidentical hormone therapy, which she credits with giving her a new lease of life.
"I wasn't vibrant. My whole world dulled down a couple of notches,” she said in her The Life You Want class on OprahDaily.com in 2023. "I got my first click of estrogen, and I was like, 'The sky is bluer!' I would have been headed for depression if I had not been on estrogen.!
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Michelle Obama: Life-changing results
© GettyFormer First Lady Michelle Obama, 60, surprised fans when she spoke about hot flashes on her podcast. She revealed her doctor recommended hormone therapy to manage her symptoms, and the results were life-changing.
And in a 2022 interview with People, she discussed her decision, expressing gratitude for the abundance of new information available.
"Before, there were studies that said hormones were bad. That's all we heard. Now, we're finding out research is showing that those studies weren't fully complete and that there are benefits to hormone replacement therapy," Michelle explained. "You're trying to sort through the information and the studies and the misinformation. So I'm right there."
Gwyneth Paltrow: Intense research
© Daniele VenturelliIn a Q&A for her Goop newsletter, the 52-year-old actress opened up about her journey through perimenopause, sharing her thoughts on the benefits and challenges of hormone therapy and offering insight into how she's navigating this chapter of life.
"I tried to take other routes, but it wasn't worth the suffering," Gwyneth said when asked if she takes hormones. "And after all the research I have done and the many cutting-edge MDs I have spoken to, I feel good about my protocol."
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HELLO! originally launched its Second Act hub to reframe midlife and beyond as a celebratory, exciting new chapter full of endless possibilities. From inspirational tales of women who refuse to fade into the background, to valuable advice on navigating relationships, finances and health issues – we've featured them all. And such has been the overwhelmingly positive response from readers, we are now turning the hub into a FULL and FREE community where women like you can come together to shape something truly inspiring.
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