"Every woman will face this at some point. Why aren’t we getting better care?" actress Naomi Watts tells.
Naomi Watts is determined to ensure that no woman has to navigate menopause alone.
The 55-year-old "Goodnight Mommy" actress shared her early menopause experience and its influence on her wellness brand, Stripes Beauty.
According to the National Institutes of Health, menopause typically begins between ages 45 and 55. However, Watts’ transition started at 36, catching her off guard. “It hit me so early. It was shocking and filled me with shame, leading to panic,” she says.
“I experienced irregular periods and night sweats and mentioned them to doctors, but they attributed it to stress because 36 seemed too young for menopause.”
By her early to mid-40s, Watts was experiencing severe menopause symptoms. She found it "ridiculous" that there was no community or sufficient information to help women through the transition. "My skin became very irritable and sensitive," she recalls. "I felt clueless about my health and resorted to Googling for answers."
On June 24, Watts reintroduced Stripes Beauty, a brand she launched in 2022, focusing on menopausal wellness and healthy aging.
"I experienced shame, fear, and doubt. Many others likely feel the same," she says. "I felt anxious creating this business but realized every woman will go through this. Why aren't we getting better care? There's a significant lack of education and research."
Since founding Stripes, Watts has engaged with numerous doctors and participated in panels discussing new menopause research. The company, expanding into markets like Canada, offers guides to understanding menopause alongside its products.
Watts advises women approaching menopause: “Don’t fear it, get ahead of it.”
She practices what she preaches, incorporating Stripes products into her daily routine.
"For my nighttime routine, I use Bioderma Micellar Water Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin to cleanse, Tammy Fender Eye Gel for under-eye freshness, a spritz of The Cool Factor for a soothing cooldown, Evening Wear for moisture, and Vag of Honor for comfort," she explains.
“Part of this is removing the shame, reducing the stigma, and creating a community where everyone can share their stories and feel supported,” she adds.
Watts feels relief knowing that women are now more vocal about menopause and that she’s helping others feel less isolated. "There’s more education now and less shame," she says. "The conversation has opened up. Women are talking to their daughters and younger generations with much more openness than in my time."
"And it's far more empowering," Watts concludes.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 59
Is it you who create ˹a child out of˺ it, or is it We Who do so?
