Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has candidly shared her challenging health journey as she approaches her 60th birthday, revealing how a painful sexual experience led to a startling medical misdiagnosis before uncovering the true cause.
A Painful Revelation
In a revealing new interview, the former Bond girl and X-Men star described experiencing excruciating pain during intimacy with her musician partner Van Hunt, whom she met during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Sex started to feel like I had razor blades in my vagina," Berry graphically admitted to The Times, detailing symptoms that initially baffled medical professionals.
From Misdiagnosis to Understanding
Berry's agonising symptoms were initially misdiagnosed as herpes by a doctor, creating additional distress and confusion. However, the actress eventually realised she was experiencing the profound effects of menopause, a natural transition she had previously believed she might avoid. "I thought I was going to skip it. That's how ignorant I was," Berry confessed, reflecting on her initial lack of awareness about the condition's potential impact.
The actress described her frustration with the timing of this health challenge, coming just as she found romantic happiness after three divorces. "That was God's joke. That was the universe. I was like, 'Universe, you bring me this man I've been asking for, and now you plummet me into hell.'"
Navigating Menopause Symptoms
Berry's experience reflects the diverse ways women experience menopause, with the actress encountering classic symptoms including night sweats, irritability, and brain fog before recognising their true source. "There are 100 symptoms of menopause; we all go through it differently," she explained, highlighting the condition's variable nature.
The average age for menopause onset in the United States is 51, though symptoms can begin manifesting for some women as early as their late thirties, with the transition period typically occurring between ages 45 and 55.
Transforming Personal Struggle into Mission
Now taking control of her health journey, Berry has redirected her women's wellness business, Respin Health, to focus specifically on "redefining menopause and longevity." The platform has become increasingly outspoken about the importance of taking women's health seriously during this natural life stage.
Respin Health partners with companies like Joylux to offer solutions for common menopausal issues such as vaginal dryness, while also providing red light therapy remedies, online group chats connecting women experiencing similar challenges, and one-to-one consultations with menopause specialists.
Challenging Ageism and Stigma
Berry's health advocacy coincides with her reflections on approaching 60 in an industry where age affects women differently than men. "I don't know how old these male actors are because their age doesn't precede their name. With us, it always does. Soon it will be '60-year-old Halle Berry,'" she observed, highlighting the persistent ageism facing women in entertainment.
The award-winning actress, one of very few to have won both an Oscar and a Razzie, now views her health advocacy as her most significant work. "This is my greatest act. And I couldn't have imagined that this would be my greatest act because I think as women, we've been afraid to age," Berry told Forbes.
Through Respin Health's comprehensive approach, Berry aims to create "your one-stop shop for all things menopause," recognising that every woman experiences this transition uniquely. Her journey from painful misdiagnosis to empowered advocacy represents a significant contribution to destigmatising women's health conversations during midlife.
