Halle Berry calls for change as she opens up on ‘taboo’ health issue

Hollywood star Halle Berry has called for more people to be involved with the discussion of menopause.

In a new interview with OK! Magazine, she revealed how some women in the industry would hide from the fact they’re going through it, for fear they may lose work.

With this, the 56-year-old actress is keen to reach a whole new audience to raise more awareness about the change with her one-stop platform.

The mother-of-two said: “I’m solidly, clearly, completely 100% smack dab in the middle of menopause.

“When I used to tell people I am going through menopause, their response would often be, ‘You look so good, you can’t be going through menopause’.

“So I’m here to say that’s how menopause looks and that every woman will go through it.”

The Oscar winner went on to say she believes “society perpetuated the notion that men usually become older and become ‘silver foxes’ but as women, we become old and disposable and we have a hard time being employed”.

Halle also believes discussions about the change shouldn’t just be limited to those experiencing it.

She went on to point out that all men will deal with women in their lives who are going through it at some point.

“It is crucial for men to be part of this conversation and support the women in their lives,” she added.

As well as men, the actress says women around the age of 35 could also benefit from learning about what products they could take when the time hits them.

Halle recently used her platform to speak out about menopause at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

In front of a packed hall, she proudly brought awareness to the subject as well as vaginal health on stage.

Perimenopause and menopause are a natural part of a woman’s life course and usually occur between the ages 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s oestrogen levels drop (although it can start earlier).

In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach menopause is 51.

Halle added: “It’s a daily conversation. Millions of women go through menopause every year.

“Women can go there and have conversations about their challenges and not be embarrassed.

“We can meet them right where they’re at.”