Halle Berry recently shared the mistake that led to her discovering she was in perimenopause. At a multi-day event called A Day of Unreasonable Conversation hosted by Propper Daley, Berry sat down with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to discuss women’s health. Berry, 57, admitted that she initially thought she could outrun menopause due to her healthy lifestyle. At 54 years old, she began experiencing pain in her vagina after having sex with partner Van Hunt, which she described as feeling like razor blades in her vagina. Berry consulted her OB-GYN, who mistakenly attributed her symptoms to herpes, but tests came back negative for sexually transmitted infections. It was later determined that Berry was in perimenopause, and vaginal dryness was responsible for the excruciating pain.
Perimenopause is the transition period that occurs before menopause begins, during which the ovaries produce fewer hormones. Symptoms can include night sweats, brain fog, changes in menstrual cycle, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy. Berry’s experience with vaginal dryness causing extreme pain prompted her to use her platform to raise awareness and advocate for other women going through similar situations. She emphasized the importance of educating oneself about menopause and seeking proper medical advice and care.
Berry has been vocal about menopause and challenging stereotypes associated with aging women. In a 2023 interview with Women’s Health, she talked about challenging the idea that women have to look or feel a certain way during menopause. She expressed that she has a lot to offer at this age and that the myths about aging women being disposable, washed up, and unimportant are untrue. Berry is determined to change the narrative around menopause and aging, embracing her womanhood and encouraging other women to do the same.
During the event, Berry and Biden urged television producers, executives, actors, and writers to not overlook and dismiss older women. They emphasized the need to change the way culture views women at this stage of their lives and to recognize that they are not at the end, but are just getting started in their next act. Berry’s personal experience with perimenopause has inspired her to speak out and advocate for women’s health, particularly during midlife transitions. She and Biden called on the audience to help shift societal perceptions and support women as they navigate menopause and aging with dignity and respect.
