Introduction to Menopause
Naomi Watts was nervous about describing herself in Hollywood as the "Menopausal Lady" when she started talking about "The Change". She believed that agism is alive and well, but she thought that if she could help a few people, it would be worth it. At 56, her acting career is still thriving, and she also has a personal care company, Stripes Beauty, that addresses menopause questions "from the scalp to the VAG".
Early Menopause Experience
Watts went through menopause earlier than most women, at the age of 36. This was 20 years ago, long before it was renamed the "puberty of the Cougar", and before the term "perimenopause" was widespread. She tried to start a family and didn’t get pregnant, and her doctor told her that she was "close to menopause", which was not something she wanted to hear.
Dealing with Symptoms
Fortunately, Watts was able to get pregnant not once, but twice. However, when she stopped breastfeeding her second child, she experienced "hardcore symptoms" and started hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She dealt with her symptoms very early on, but she still didn’t know much about menopause and didn’t know that all the other things that were happening in her body were related to it.
Skin and Menopause
One of the most unbearable things for Watts was itchy, heavy, sensitive, and raging skin. The loss of estrogen during menopause can lead to many symptoms, including dehydration, which can cause vaginal dryness, but also affect the skin, scalp, and body as a whole. She didn’t know that and played around with products, but nothing worked.
Creating Stripes Beauty
Watts decided to do something about it and created her own brand, Stripes Beauty. She wanted to help women feel confident and important during this phase of life. Stripes "speaks to the dry dots from scalp to vag" with ingredients that aim to solve moisture problems and sensitive skin. The products include face creams and serums, a hair mask, dietary supplements, and a "moisturizing gel for intimate moisture".
Advice for Women
Watts shared her advice for women who are going through perimenopause: don’t be afraid and keep their "5 TS" in mind. These include:
- Zeitlinien: don’t fix yourself to timelines and plans
- Teacher: find good teachers and mentors
- Stamm: surround yourself with a tribe of women you trust
- Tenderness: be kind to yourself and expect it from others
- Truth: be authentic and truthful to yourself and others.
Breaking the Stigma
Watts believes that the stigma around menopause will not last much longer. She is not the only star who is sharing her experience, and things are changing. She wishes there was a manual or guide that could tell her that it’s not the end, that you can still be sexy, fun, and work during menopause. Fortunately, women are now talking about menopause and perimenopause, and it’s becoming more accepted.
