Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has revealed a painful symptom she experienced during menopause, which was initially mistaken by a doctor for herpes after she endured agonising pain following sex. The revelation came as she opened up about her personal health challenges while approaching her 60th birthday.
Berry has faced multiple hardships, from a difficult childhood marked by abuse and bullying to confronting ageism in Hollywood. In a candid interview, she expressed frustration about how women’s ages are often highlighted compared to their male counterparts, saying,
“I don’t know how old these male actors are because their age doesn’t precede their name. With us, it always does. Soon it will be ‘60-year-old Halle Berry’.”
Unexpected Relationship and Physical Struggles During Menopause
After three divorces, Berry had mentally prepared herself for a single life. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, she met musician Van Hunt, and although they did not meet face-to-face for six months, they eventually connected in person. Almost immediately she noticed something was wrong with her body. She told The Times,
“Sex started to feel like I had razor blades in my vagina.”
Initially, doctors misdiagnosed the pain as herpes, but Berry later understood it was related to menopause. She reflected on the cruel timing of events, saying,
“That was God’s joke. That was the universe. I was like, ‘Universe, you bring me this man I’ve been asking for, and now you plummet me into hell.’”
Misconceptions About Menopause and Her Journey to Awareness
Berry had known about menopause in theory but thought she might avoid its effects. She admitted,
“I thought I was going to skip it. That’s how ignorant I was.”
As she experienced classic signs such as night sweats, irritability, and brain fog, she initially blamed causes other than menopause.
Now aware of the reality, Berry is taking control and becoming vocal about the range of symptoms women face. She highlighted,
“There are 100 symptoms of menopause; we all go through it differently.”
The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but symptoms can begin as early as the late 30s to mid-40s, illustrating the varied experiences women undergo.
Focusing on Women’s Wellness Through Respin Health
Berry has redirected her wellness business, Respin Health, to center on reshaping the conversation around menopause and longevity. She emphasizes women’s health must be taken seriously and addresses issues such as vaginal dryness through partnerships with companies like Joylux.
Respin Health’s offerings include red light therapy, online group discussions, and one-to-one sessions with menopause specialists, aiming to provide comprehensive support. Berry explained to Forbes,
“We are trying to be your one-stop shop for all things menopause, because what I’ve learned on this journey is that every woman ‘menopauses’ in a different way.”
Embracing Aging as a Powerful Stage in Life
The actress described her focus on menopause awareness as her “greatest act,” recognizing the importance of overcoming society’s fear of aging. She said,
“This is my greatest act. And I couldn’t have imagined that this would be my greatest act because I think as women, we’ve been afraid to age.”
As Halle Berry continues to share her struggles and work to destigmatize menopause, her efforts could inspire many women navigating similar challenges, shifting public perceptions and encouraging open conversations about this natural life phase.
