Halle Berry is using her platform to raise awareness about menopause.
The actor has already rebranded her health and wellness brand Rē-Spin to focus on menopause, and she regularly provides resources to her followers on social media to spread awareness on the topic, as well.
And during a forum with first lady Dr. Jill Biden at the annual A Day of Unreasonable Conversation event on Monday, Berry shared a story reinforcing the importance of being educated about menopause.
She revealed that when she was seeking answers from professionals about discomfort she was experiencing after sex, a doctor told her she had the worst case of herpes he'd ever seen.
However, when she and her boyfriend, musician Van Hunt, were tested, the results came back negative for both of them.
Later, the Oscar winner realized she was experiencing a symptom of perimenopause due to vaginal dryness.
“I realized after the fact that is a symptom of perimenopause."
That's when Berry decided to use her platform to educate others.
“My doctor had no knowledge and didn’t prepare me, that’s when I knew, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got to use my platform, I have to use all of who I am and I have to start making a change and a difference for other women.’”
She then urged those in attendance to “help us change the way culture views women at this stage of our lives.”
Speaking of herself and the first lady, she added:
“And we’re not exactly at the end."
“We’re sitting up here, two women who are clearly down the path of life, we are not done. We’re just getting started in our next act.”
People on social media were sadly not surprised to learn about a woman being misdiagnosed.
And they applauded Berry for speaking out and encouraging others to do the same.
In January, Berry shared on Instagram that she participated in a discussion about menopause research with Dr. Biden at the University of Illinois Chicago.
She wrote:
"Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak and learn more about the advancements being made on menopausal research at the University of Illinois Chicago."
"Thank you Dr. Biden (@flotus) for inviting me to be a part of this incredible group of women and Dr. Maki for helping to advance women’s health research."
"Here’s to rē•framing conversations around menopause because women are worth it!! 🤍"
Keep it up, ladies!
