Naomi Watts, celebrated actor from films like The Ring and Birdman, opens up about her early menopause experience at 36. She shares her struggle with unexplained symptoms like night sweats and anxiety, advocating for transparency around women's health. Naomi discusses the stigma surrounding menopause and highlights the need to celebrate women's bodies rather than endure suffering in silence. Through her book, Dare I Say It, she encourages a shift in narrative, emphasizing the value and strength of women at any age.
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Early Menopause Symptoms
Naomi Watts experienced early menopause symptoms like night sweats and irregular periods at 36.
Doctors dismissed these symptoms during medical checkups for films.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Intergenerational Silence
Naomi Watts's mother didn't share details about her menopause experience.
This lack of intergenerational conversation reflects a societal expectation for women to suffer silently.
insights INSIGHT
History of Menopause
The term "menopause" was coined relatively recently, in 1812.
Historically, menopausal women were often viewed as useless or mentally unstable.
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Mariella Frostrup's "Cracking the Menopause" provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing the menopausal transition. The book combines personal anecdotes with scientific information, offering practical advice and support for women. Frostrup addresses various aspects of menopause, including physical symptoms, emotional changes, and societal perceptions. She aims to empower women to take control of their health and well-being during this significant life stage. The book also encourages open conversations and challenges the stigma surrounding menopause.
Decolonising My Body
Decolonising My Body
Afua Hirsch
Afua Hirsch's "Decolonising My Body" delves into the complex relationship between race, gender, and the body. The book explores how societal norms and historical power structures have shaped our understanding of the body, particularly for women of color. Hirsch examines the menstrual cycle as a significant aspect of this, highlighting the lack of open discussion and the societal pressures that often lead to shame and silence. The book encourages a more holistic and empowering approach to understanding and celebrating the female body. It challenges traditional medical narratives and promotes a more inclusive and equitable approach to healthcare.
Dare I Say It
Dare I Say It
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Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts's "Dare I Say It" offers a candid and personal account of her experience with early menopause. The book combines her own journey with scientific research and advice, aiming to destigmatize the topic and provide support for women. Watts shares humorous anecdotes and insights, making the often-challenging experience of menopause more relatable and less isolating. The book also tackles broader societal issues surrounding women's health and aging. It encourages open conversations and challenges the silence surrounding menopause.
Actor Naomi Watts went through early menopause at 36. She was experiencing symptoms she couldn’t explain, like itchy skin, night sweats, and anxiety, but struggled to find any real information or stories about this midlife transition.
In this chat with Fearne, Naomi explains why she’s become passionate about shining a spotlight on previously taboo topics like fertility, menopause, and sex. She talks about how it felt to be told she was peri-menopausal while she was in the middle of her fertility journey, and how she’s changed her lifestyle to help manage her symptoms.
Fearne and Naomi chat about the way women are told that simply being a woman means you have to suffer and your body will be a place of pain. How can we re-write the narrative to celebrate the beauty of our bodies and cycles?
Plus, how to fight back against the ingrained idea that older women aren’t of great use or value to society...
Naomi’s book, Dare I Say It, is published by Happy Place Books and it’s out now.
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