The period of transition to menopause, also known as perimenopause, is often very stressful. This does not only apply to “ordinary mortals”. Very unpleasant symptoms are also often dealt with by celebrities, who in recent years have begun to talk much more openly about the challenges brought by the transition to menopause…
Oprah Winfrey
The world’s most famous talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, wrote about her experience with perimenopause in an essay published in her magazine. In the aforementioned essay, she describes, among other things, how even the doctors did not know for a long time what was to blame for the unpleasant symptoms she began to experience. Due to restlessness and heart palpitations, she was referred to a cardiologist, who prescribed heart medication and ordered several weeks of heart monitoring. Then, by chance, she opened a book she came across in one of the offices of her studio – and the picture began to quickly come together. The popular presenter also writes in the essay that, until recently, menopause was hardly discussed. So it’s no surprise that she didn’t know what to expect.
Drew Barrymore
The fact that menopause is slowly but surely approaching Drew Barrymore, who thanks to the movie E.T. the Alien became famous as a child. The star, who later appeared in many romantic comedies, was surprised by the symptom of perimenopause for the first time right in front of the camera. During the recording of the talk show she hosts, she experienced a hot flush – and she said it out loud. Many female fans were very grateful to the star for her honesty.
Michelle Obama
The former first lady of the United States of America devoted one of her podcast episodes to the discussion of menopause, during which she also shared completely personal experiences. As she said, the first hot flush surprised her on the presidential plane. The experience was very intense. It felt as if someone had put a stove in it and set it to the highest temperature – and then everything would start to melt. In the podcast, Michelle Obama also paid special attention to the transition to menopause and ensuring appropriate conditions at the workplace (e.g. temperature adjustment).
Cynthia Nixon
The star, who became famous thanks to the role of Miranda in the popular series Sex and the City, had company while struggling with the symptoms of perimenopause – practically at the same time, her wife was also struggling with similar problems, who understood so well what was happening to her. Although the period was still quite stressful, coping with the symptoms was significantly easier due to this circumstance.
Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall, who, like Cynthia Nixon, is best known for her role in the Sex and the City series, also spoke about the challenges brought by the transition to menopause. Although she had already had to act out the symptoms of perimenopause in the role of Samantha, the experience did not really prepare her for what awaited her in real life. But the more information she had – and the more she knew how to listen to her body – the more manageable the symptoms became.
Angelina Jolie
In 2013, the public heard the news that Angelina Jolie decided to have a double mastectomy, i.e. the surgical removal of both breasts. The reason for this was related to the discovery that she carries the BRCA1 gene, which is closely associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Then, at the beginning of 2015, the star was surprised with the news that her ovaries were also removed at her request. Despite hormone replacement therapy, Angelina Jolie had to deal with early menopause, but she has not regretted her decision. In connection with this, she said, among other things, that aging does not scare her, but, on the contrary, calms her down.