Naomi Watts has opened up about her shock diagnosis almost 20 years ago, and how it impacted her mentally and physically.
The 54-year-old actress spoke about the challenging time she experienced when she went through early menopause at the age of 36, leaving her feeling like she was “spiraling out of control.”
In an interview with Hello magazine published on Monday, Watts revealed: “Going through menopause at such a young age was not easy, especially during a time when there was so little information available about it. Mood swings, night sweats, and migraines… I was feeling like I was spiraling out of control.”
Typically, menopause occurs around the age of 51, according to the Mayo Clinic, making Watts’ experience at 36 unusually early.
However, she found a silver lining in the hormonal changes she faced. Watts shared: “Going through this journey led me to a deeper understanding of myself, and I came out on the other side feeling more authentically me. A lot of freedom came in the self-acknowledgment.”
She continued: “I had those voices in the back of my mind reminding me how old women are let out to pasture, but there was a lure to this desire to be authentic, to crawl from behind the invisible wall and just acknowledge for myself something that everyone could have probably guessed.”
Acknowledging that menopause was often seen as a taboo topic, Watts partnered with Menopause Mandate, a non-profit organization aiming to improve midlife support for American women. She believed that if menopause had been discussed more openly when she first experienced symptoms, her transition might have been easier.
“There was ‘a lack of open conversation and resources’ to help women going through menopause,” Watts said. Consequently, she is now passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more honest conversations about this natural phase of life.
The actress also reflected on aging in Hollywood and how perceptions have evolved. “I’m proud to still be working; when the defining narrative used to be that if you were a hair over 40, you were basically forced into retirement, seeing that shift, that’s empowering,” she said.
While the industry has progressed, Watts believes there is still room for improvement in adequately portraying menopause in film. She emphasized the significance of women’s stories at every stage of life and hopes for more open and normalized conversations about menopause.
Watts sees many opportunities for storytelling to highlight female midlife experiences. Menopause can significantly impact a woman’s life, encompassing a wide range of scenarios, from caring for elderly parents to career shifts.
On a personal note, Watts also reflected on finding love with her husband Billy Crudup at an older age. She believes that being open and honest about one’s experiences is crucial in any relationship, as it fosters empathy and understanding.
Watts and Crudup quietly married in New York City last month after three years of dating.
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