Naomi Watts Breaks Silence on Menopause Struggle, Launches Skincare Brand to Help Women

I’m Sage Matthews, a cynical observer who’s seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that even at 56, Naomi Watts is still thriving in Hollywood. But what’s behind her enduring success? For Watts, it’s about embracing her journey, menopause and all. As she revealed at a recent event at Credo Beauty in Manhattan, she was worried about being labeled a “menopausal lady” in the industry, but she’s glad she spoke out. “Agism is alive and well,” she said. “I was nervous about it, but I thought: If I can help a few, that would be meaningful. And it turns out it wasn’t career suicide.”

Watts started experiencing menopause symptoms 20 years ago, at the age of 36, when she was trying to start a family. Her doctor told her she was “close to menopause,” and she was left feeling devastated. “And it was just ‘boom.’ And I left the office in pieces,” she recalled. Despite getting pregnant twice, Watts began experiencing “hardcore symptoms” once she stopped breastfeeding her second child and started hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One of the most intolerable symptoms for her was itchy, aggravated, sensitive skin.

The loss of estrogen during menopause can lead to dehydration, causing vaginal dryness, as well as dryness in the skin, scalp, and body. Watts admitted she didn’t know this and was struggling to find products that worked for her. “I was messing around with my products, going, ‘Oh, well, this one, I’ve always used it. It’s been fine,’ ‘No, that’s not working, get rid of that one.’ And then I realized nothing was working.” Feeling alone and ashamed in a “very ageist industry,” Watts decided to take matters into her own hands and create her own skincare brand, Stripes Beauty.

Stripes “speaks to the dry points, from scalp to vag,” with ingredients that target hydration issues and sensitive skin. Products include face creams and serums, a hair mask, supplements, and a “hydrating gel for intimate moisture” called “Vag of Honor.” Watts wants women to feel confident and invested in themselves, especially during this stage of life. “A woman should feel like she’s still important. She should invest in herself.”

Watts isn’t the only star speaking out about menopause; Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek, and Halle Berry have also shared their experiences. Watts believes the stigma surrounding menopause is fading and encourages women to approach this stage of life with confidence. She advises women to focus on the “5 Ts” – though she didn’t specify what those are.

As I read about Watts’ journey, I’m reminded that even in the midst of struggle, there’s always an opportunity for growth and empowerment. And if you’re a woman navigating menopause, know that you’re not alone. There are resources available, and women like Watts are speaking out to help.

Anyway, can’t wait to see how this gets worse.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed