Naomi Watts Publishes Book on Early Menopause Experience
"Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Silence Around Menopause"
World-renowned actress Naomi Watts opened up about her experience with early menopause 20 years ago and the discrimination women face in Hollywood.
On the 11th (local time), British media such as the Daily Mail reported that Watts revealed her experiences through her recently published book, “If I Dare Say: Everything I Wish I Knew About Menopause.”
Watts had previously confessed in 2023 that she experienced early menopause at the young age of 36. At the time, she visited a hospital due to difficulties conceiving and was diagnosed with menopause. Typically, menopause occurs between the ages of 48 and 52.
After receiving the menopause diagnosis, Watts recalled experiencing shock and despair to the point where she almost fell off the examination table.
Regarding the symptoms of early menopause, Watts said she experienced mood swings, cold sweats, and migraines, explaining that she felt as if she was losing control.
She said, “Going through menopause at a young age is not easy. It is especially difficult because there is very little information about menopause,” adding, “I believe I would have accepted menopause more easily if it were not a taboo subject.”
In response, Watts has long raised her voice, arguing that “the perception of menopause as a taboo subject must be broken” and that there is a lack of conversations and resources to support women going through menopause.
Additionally, in her book, Watts revealed, “I was warned that acknowledging menopause or even the pre-menopausal stage would mean I could never work as an actress again,” and stated, “In Hollywood, such women are labeled as sexually unappealing.”
She particularly criticized Hollywood’s culture of age discrimination against women, saying, “Since I started acting, I was warned that drawing attention to my age was professional suicide.”
However, Watts said that experiencing hormonal changes earlier in life gave her a sense of liberation and helped her understand herself more deeply. She said, “Now, celebrities regularly text me to let me know they are going through menopause,” adding, “It feels as if I have become Hollywood’s counselor.”
She added, “I realized there is no one sexier than a woman who knows what she wants, and that inspired me to write this book.”
Born in the UK, Watts gained worldwide recognition through the 2001 film Mulholland Drive. Since then, she has established herself as a leading Hollywood actress with roles in The Ring, 21 Grams, and King Kong. She was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in 21 Grams and The Impossible.
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