7 Celebrities Who’ve Been Brutally Honest About Their Menopause Journey

Menopause is a time of change when it comes to a woman’s mood, hormones, brain, and body. It occurs 12 months after the last period, and usually starts when you reach your fifties. It can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.

Celebrities, like Phyllis Logan, stay positive through it all and deal with the transition in a healthy fashion. Research shows that it’s also important to spend time with friends and participate in activities that you enjoy.

1. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie claims she hasn’t had a terrible reaction to menopause and that she’s very fortunate. She feels older, but she feels settled as she ages, saying, “I actually love being in menopause. I don’t want to be young again.”

She went through an unfortunate series of events that caused her to enter menopause earlier, but still continues to stay positive through everything. “But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life,” said the actress. Her courage proves that your mindset is indeed one of the most important factors in living a healthy, fulfilled life.

2. Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson suffered from depression for a long time, and when she turned 46, menopause kicked in, and she felt like her life was falling apart. Usually, she admits to being able to balance a lot of things, but perimenopause caused her to feel completely overwhelmed. “I felt like somebody else had taken over my brain,” admitted the actress.

To Anderson, both menopause and perimenopause should be celebrated, accepted, acknowledged, and honored. “So we don’t feel like we’re going mad or insane or alone in any of the symptoms we are having.”

3. Taraji P. Henson

At first, Taraji P. Henson’s mood would swing down, and she’d feel very low and beaten down, “like never before out of nowhere.” She wasn’t aware that it was because of menopause, but then she visited a doctor and learned how to manage the ups and downs. The way she dealt with it was by talking to herself, and she believes that it’s very important to do that in order to work things out.

4. Phyllis Logan

Phyllis Logan started menopause when she was in her mid-forties, so it’s been some time since she felt her first symptoms appear. “It affects so many people. And the older you get, the more people you know are suffering,” she explained.

Logan is very positive about her career when it comes to her age. She believes that there is always room for 60+, 70+ women, saying, “For the time being, I’m feeling quite positive.”

5. Julie Walters

During her time filming the Harry Potter movies, Julie found it difficult to act because of the hot flashes she experienced, making her very tired. However, menopause has been a huge relief to her nonetheless, as she explains, “It’s liberating both going through it and coming out the other side.”

She claims that in life, we must address things and deal with everything the best we can. Dealing with it in a healthy way may make you come out of it a better person. She also has so much more energy than when she was in her early fifties before menopause.

6. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson was left feeling very emotional during menopause. She also felt very lonely and hormonal, going through many hot flashes and mood swings. She felt a change in her body and started feeling “very poetic, very dark and dreamy.” She claims that her mother had a really hard time with hers as well.

7. Helena Bonham Carter

As a young woman, Helena Bonham Carter claims she never really had breasts. But once menopause hit, they started to grow, as she admitted, “It is the one benefit of menopause.” However, she wished they didn’t stick out that much.

When Carter turned 50, she was worried that her life would start to go downhill. However, it’s been quite the opposite for her, and she claims she’s never been happier and more fulfilled.

Angelina Jolie’s philanthropic endeavors are testament to her golden heart. From her initial exposure to humanitarian crises in Cambodia while filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” to her extensive work with refugees, Jolie’s commitment to global issues is unwavering. Her dedication extends to environmental conservation, women’s rights, health awareness, and disaster relief. Furthermore, her children, inspired by her actions, are also making strides in philanthropy, ensuring her legacy of compassion continues.

How do you feel about menopause? What are some symptoms you’ve experienced?