After being diagnosed with menopause at age 36, actress Naomi Watts, now 54, has discovered a new passion for advocacy.
Speaking with HELLO! Magazine, the Ophelia star spoke candidly about her struggle with the surprise diagnosis.
“Going through menopause at such a young age was not easy, especially during a time when there was so little information available about it,” she told the outlet.
“Mood swings, night sweats, and migraines… I was feeling like I was spiralling out of control.”
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The British-born, Australian-raised actress recalled the difficulty of accessing information about menopause at the time.
“I truly believe that if menopause hadn’t been such an off-limits topic when I first started experiencing symptoms, I would’ve had an easier transition,” she explained. “I was part of a cycle that desperately needed to be broken.”
Her experience led the star to taking matters into her own hands, entering into partnership with Menopause Mandate, a not-for-profit organisation seeking to provide more midlife support for American women.
Watts – who is the US co-chair for the organisation – hopes that the partnership will help women avoid the loneliness she was felt when first diagnosed.
“There was a lack of open conversation and resources to help women navigate the changes we go through,” she said. “That’s why I’m now so passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more honest conversations.”
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The Watcher star goes on to say that despite Hollywood often being at the forefront of criticism, she does feel it’s progressive in nature and that aging is “in.”
“I’m proud to still be working; when the defining narrative used to be that if you were a hair over 40 you were basically forced into retirement, seeing that shift, that’s empowering,” Watts said.
“There’s growing recognition that women’s stories don’t end at a certain age.”
Despite seeing progress however, the actress explains that there is still room for growth, particularly for menopause to be “adequately portrayed” in film.
“It’s a side comment here or there, barely even a secondary plot line, but menopause can consume a significant portion of a woman’s life – some people it can last over a decade,” she said.
“How is that not worth writing stories about?”
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Watts pointed out that menopause is a “natural phase of life” that “half the population is going to go through” and explained the importance of normalising discussions surrounding menopause.
“The more normalised the conversation can be, is going to present an opportunity for everyone to understand,” she said.
“Let’s hope it becomes as easy to talk about this stuff as it’s been to talk about periods.”
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