Applause to Naomi Watts for his exposing himself to a condition that is still (very) little discussed and shared: early menopause. The British actress, 53 years old and 2 children, deserves the credit for speaking with an open heart about her and her situation when, not even 40 years old, she discovered that she entered premature menopausethat is to have lost ovarian activity and, consequently, the menstrual cycle.
“Does the word menopause scare you?” Writes Naomi Watts at the beginning of her long post shared on Instagram, next to a portrait that sees her (splendid) in a soap and water version. “But why? It is a natural phase of life, something that will be given to half of the population and which will indirectly affect the other half ».
Then the actress begins to tell about what happened to her. “When I was about 30, I finally felt ready to start thinking about starting a family. Then the M word brought it all down, kind of a head-on collision with a truck. How was I supposed to understand it when no one was talking about it? I was lucky much earlier than my peers. My friends and my mother didn’t seem willing to talk about it, I didn’t know how to ask for help and they didn’t know how to support me. In all of this, even the doctors had very little to tell me. A kind of silent code: women should keep it all in and somehow make it, because that’s how past generations have always stoically done. I think it is time for women in this stage of life and / or this age group to feel truly represented. We have been left out of the media and marketing storytelling for too long. Especially considering that more than 1 billion women worldwide will go through menopause by 2025. When you engage in awkward conversations, they somehow get easier. Progress is being made. Let’s break down the stigma and face the taboo, the mystery, the sense of shame we felt. We create a healthier foundation for future generations. Getting older is a privilege and a time to feel proud of our experiences, to feel stronger, without the need to apologize. I think being part of a generation that knows how to create change is inspiring. We no longer walk in this phase of life feeling alone ».
And then the surprise and a small teaser: “I’m working on something that I feel super proud of. I hope you will follow me while, in the coming weeks, I will reveal more about it ».
In the gallery we have collected some information on premature menopause. Breaking down the taboo, you know, passes from being informed and, consequently, feeling aware and in control of your choices. As Naomi Watts wisely teaches us.
8 rules to keep your mood high during menopause
What they don’t tell you about menopause
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Carol Yepes Getty Images1/4Before the age of 40
We speak of premature menopause referring to the permanent disappearance of menstruation before the age of 40. The ovaries no longer release eggs (ovulation) regularly, becoming less able to produce hormones.
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Vladimir Vladimirov Getty Images2/4Symptoms? Not always
Often in premature menopause it happens that women are asymptomatic, obviously excluding the inability to get pregnant. For others, however, the typical symptoms of natural menopause arrive, from hot flashes to intense night sweats.
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Cornflower Getty Images3/4Possible causes of early menopause
As remembers theItalian Auxological Institute, the causes of premature menopause can be genetic, dysmetabolic, endocrinological, linked to autoimmune diseases, the latter situations in which unfortunately it is the organism itself that produces antibodies directed against its own ovary cells and destroys them. Gynecological surgeries involving the removal of the uterus and ovaries due to other pathologies may also be responsible.
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valentinrussanov Getty Images4/4Recommended therapy
After the diagnosis (necessary), the doctor may prescribe to the woman in premature menopause drugs based on estrogen-progestin hormones, which “replace” the natural ones no longer produced by the ovary as they no longer work (hormone replacement therapy). In this way, disabling and / or annoying symptoms will be avoided. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle, starting with nutrition and physical activity, counts a lot.
Source: Vanity Fair
