‘Shouldn’t be taboo’: Fans back Halle Berry as actress screams ‘I’m in menopause’ from Capitol steps to seek funding for women’s health care

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Halle Berry made a bold statement on the steps of the US Capitol, joining bipartisan senators in advocating for increased awareness and funding for menopause research and education, reported by The Daily Mail.

At 57, Berry proudly declared her menopausal status, emphasizing the importance of destigmatizing this natural phase of a woman's life. Addressing the gathered crowd, she emphasized the need to remove the shame associated with menopause and encourage open discussion about its effects on women's health.

Halle Berry advocates for menopause awareness

"I'm in menopause, OK?' Berry announced. "The shame has to be taken out of menopause. We have to talk about this very normal part of our life that happens."

Berry highlighted the challenges women face in accessing adequate information and support during menopause, noting that even healthcare professionals often shy away from addressing the topic. Her own experience with misdiagnosis underscored the importance of accurate information and resources for women navigating menopause.

"Our doctors can't even say the word to us, let alone walk us through the journey," lamented the acclaimed actress.

The proposed legislation, known as the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act, seeks to allocate $275 million for research, education, and treatment related to menopause. This includes funding for hormone therapy, clinical trials, and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and support for menopausal women.

The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with 17 female senators voicing their endorsement. Despite the political challenges ahead, proponents are hopeful that the legislation will pave the way for improved healthcare and support for menopausal women.

Sen Debbie Stabenow shared on X (formerly Twitter), " If me experienced menopause, you bet they'd have all the support they need! Today, my female colleagues & I, joined by Helle Berry, called for expanded federal research, health care & awareness on menopuase. We must ensure women's health finally gets the attention it deserves."

 

Berry is not alone in her advocacy efforts. Other middle-aged female celebrities, including Drew Barrymore, Judy Greer, and Naomi Watts, have also been vocal about their menopausal experiences and invested in initiatives aimed at supporting women during this transitional phase.

Dr Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Institutes of Health, emphasized the lack of sufficient research on women's health, particularly for older women.

Despite bipartisan backing, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain amid the polarized political landscape and the upcoming presidential election. Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed optimism about garnering male support in Congress, highlighting the crucial role of their financial backing for research funding. She underscored the urgency of prioritizing menopause research, suggesting that if men experienced menopause, research funding would have been allocated much earlier.

 

"If men went through menopause we would have adequately and appropriately funded the research (into) menopause decades and decades ago," said Murkowski.

In recent months, Hollywood actor Halle Berry has bravely shared her experiences with perimenopause, shedding light on the often misunderstood and overlooked phase of a woman's life. Perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, is characterized by fluctuating hormone levels, including a decrease in estrogen, which can result in a range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Berry's journey with perimenopause took a particularly challenging turn when she experienced painful symptoms that led to a misdiagnosis by her doctor. Initially diagnosed with herpes, a sexually transmitted infection, Berry and her partner both tested negative for the condition, prompting further investigation into her symptoms.

Fans cheer on Halle Berry's menopause awareness campaign

Halle Berry's advocacy for menopause education and awareness has sparked support and praise from fans across social media platforms.

One user highlighted the importance of normalizing discussions around menopause, stating, "Good. It's a part of life. Roughly half the population goes through it. It shouldn't be taboo."

Another user applauded Berry for bringing attention to the topic, noting, "Some breeze through it and others have difficult experiences going through it."

One user noted, "Menopause is normal, not a disease. Some women get through it easily, others have a harder time but it ends eventually. Nothing wrong with doing more research on it "

Another user wrote,"About time for more research on peri/menopause. Doctors get minimum training on it in med school and people don't realize that it isn't just an end to a woman's fertility, but the start of potential other problems such as dementia, osteoporosis and cardiac issues, among others."

 

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