Halle Berry, 57, screams ‘I’m in menopause!’ on steps of US Capitol at rally to raise ‘awareness’ about the big change
Halle Berry joined a group of bipartisan senators at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday to push for legislation that would allocate $275 million to menopause research and education.
The 57-year-old actress proudly declared that she was going through menopause, the big hormone shift that middle-aged women experience that marks the end of their menstrual cycle.
“I’m menopausal, okay?” Berry announced. ‘The shame must be taken out of menopause. We need to talk about this very normal part of our lives that is happening.
“Our doctors can’t even say the word to us, let alone guide us through the journey.”
The bipartisan Senate bill, known as the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, asks the federal government to increase funding for hormone therapy, which is used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms, as well as for clinical trials regarding menopause.
Oscar-winning actress and women’s health activist Halle Berry joins female senators as they introduce new legislation to boost federal research on menopause at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Thursday
The 57-year-old actress proudly declared that she was going through menopause, the major hormone shift experienced by middle-aged women that heralds the end of their menstrual cycle
The bipartisan Senate bill, the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, would create public health efforts to improve women’s health in mid-life
After receiving a false diagnosis of herpes, Berry discovered the truth about her painful symptoms: She was experiencing perimenopause, or the early stages of menopause when estrogen levels begin to drop dramatically.
The proposal would set aside $125 million for clinical trials, public health and medical research on menopause.
Any remaining funds would be used to support the diagnosis, detection, treatment and awareness of menopause.
“Menopause is not a bad word, it is not something to be ashamed of, and it is not something that Congress or the federal government should ignore,” Murray said.
Seventeen female senators – three Republicans, thirteen Democrats and one independent – expressed support for the bill.
On Thursday, more senators expressed hope that the bill will make starting the conversation about menopause easier and less taboo.
Berry is one of many middle-aged female celebrities who have opened up about their menopause.
Drew Barrymore has invested in Evernow, a menopausal telemedicine company. Wile, a supplement company, was founded by Judy Greer. Founded by Naomi Watts, Stripes offers products for menopause, AP News reported.
Last year, President Joe Biden announced a new program to help improve federal research on women’s health, especially menopause.
National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli said not enough research is being done on the health of women, especially older women.
Berry (right) discovered she was experiencing perimenopause, or the early stages of menopause, when estrogen levels begin to drop dramatically
Berry (pictured) is one of many middle-aged female celebrities who have opened up about their menopause
Before Berry learned she was experiencing perimenopause, she was wrongly diagnosed with Herpes
Although the legislation received rare bipartisan support, the future of the bill is uncertain given the polarizing political climate in the country and the presidential election looming.
Although Congress is notoriously male-dominated, Murkowski said she looked forward to winning their support as their fiscal support is crucial in funding research.
“If men were going through menopause, we would have adequately and adequately funded menopause research decades ago,” Murkowski said.