Natalia Chi
Menopause marks the end fertility For women, and celebrities like former first lady Michelle Obama and actress Naomi Watts, more than ever before, they’re coming forward to talk about it.
Yet, for some women, it remains an uncomfortable topic despite its importance.
To normalize the conversation, CBS News’ Gail King and talk show host Drew Barrymore sat down to talk candidly about their experiences and the one word they use to describe menopause. bottom.
For King, the word is “reality.” For Barrymore, it’s “natural.”
The two described what it was like Perimenopausethis is the time when the body begins to transition towards menopause.
“I realized I was peri-menopausal when my periods started coming every two weeks,” Barrymore said.
“Was it a torrent? That’s a sign,” exclaimed King.
“Yes, like teenagers,” Barrymore replied. “One doctor told me that in the worst-case scenario it could last 10 years. And I was like, ‘I’m never going to have 10 years like this.
King admitted that she had never heard the term menopause until she saw her doctor.
“It’s not too graphic, but for many it looked like a crime scene when it first happened,” King said.
King also talked about hot flashes that Barrymore had never experienced.
“It was just physical heat, and you can be drenched in sweat,” King said, adding that it can happen at the most inappropriate time.
“I was on the red carpet where the photographer said, ‘Gail, are you okay? I say, ‘It’s just a hot flash,’ and they say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. “
King found this to be a typical reaction to being candid about hot flashes.
People react “like I said something very bad about you”. “
But not everyone has dramatic symptoms, King noted.
“I know some women have been through it, and they just sailed it and had very minimal stuff,” King said. Their lives were uninterrupted.”
King and Barrymore also spoke about whether they received treatment.
“I’ve seen my doctor, but I haven’t been taking hormones.” I realized that I didn’t have to.”
Barrymore said she also turned down hormone therapy.
“The doctor who suggested it didn’t really feel like he understood where I was.
“At some point, we may find a cure that works for you,” said Barrymore. please give me.”
They also highlighted misconceptions about menopause. So going through menopause means someone is “older”.
“When you think about menopause, you think: ‘I’m old. Her life is over. She’s over,'” King said. “What we do know is that it’s not true. I think it would be most helpful if there was a message that we could understand.”
King also condemned the idea that it was an inappropriate or vulgar topic to discuss, one that particularly affected previous generations, including her own mother.
“My mother also had very bad symptoms, but she didn’t talk about it,” she said. I was wearing pants, I had my period, I was in menopause, I must be peri-menopausal, I started bleeding and I said, ‘What’s going on?’ ‘ And she says, ‘Oh, I’m fine…’ and there’s no conversation about it. “
King believes it’s important to discuss these topics not only with his daughter, but also with his son.
“I think kids, boys and girls, should be well informed,” she added.
Nicky Baptiste
