During a conversation about women’s health with First Lady Jill Biden, Halle Berry opened up about mistaking perimenopause symptoms for herpes. The actress recounted experiencing extreme pain after intimacy with her boyfriend Van Hunt, leading doctors to suspect she had herpes. Tests later revealed that neither Berry nor Hunt had the sexually transmitted infection. Instead, Berry realized that her symptoms were actually a sign of perimenopause, a transitional stage around menopause characterized by hormonal changes that can cause various symptoms.
Berry expressed frustration that her doctor did not prepare her for the symptoms of perimenopause, prompting her to use her platform to raise awareness and make a difference for other women. Despite her healthy lifestyle and managing diabetes since the age of 20, Berry’s experience highlighted the inevitability of menopause for all women. She emphasized the importance of changing the way society views women in midlife, challenging the negative stigma associated with menopause and perimenopause.
The actress shared her story with fellow A-listers at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit, including Kerry Washington, Jane Fonda, and Paris Hilton. Berry emphasized that women in midlife are not at the end but are embarking on a new chapter in their lives. She called for a shift in cultural attitudes towards menopause and perimenopause, advocating for a more positive and empowering perspective on this stage of life. Berry’s message resonated with the audience, inspiring them to change the narrative around menopause and embrace it as a glorious time of life.
Halle Berry’s personal journey with perimenopause was a wake-up call for her, leading her to prioritize raising awareness and destigmatizing menopause. Despite initially dismissing the possibility of experiencing menopause, Berry’s experience served as a reminder that every woman will go through this natural stage of life. By using her platform to advocate for women’s health, Berry is committed to changing societal perceptions of menopause and perimenopause, encouraging a more positive and supportive view of women in midlife.
In her relationship with Van Hunt since 2020, Berry has found a supportive partner with whom she has not shared any children. However, she co-parents two kids with her exes, including daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry and son Maceo-Robert Martinez with ex-husband Olivier Martinez. Despite challenges and misconceptions surrounding menopause, Berry’s personal story serves as a reminder of the importance of open discussions about women’s health and the need for greater understanding and support for women transitioning through midlife. Through her advocacy efforts, Berry aims to inspire a more inclusive and empowering conversation surrounding menopause and perimenopause.
