Menopause is going to happen or has already happened for roughly half of the world’s population—and Gwyneth Paltrow is officially counting herself in the mix. The 51-year-old actress and businesswoman recently told People that she’s been experiencing perimenopause, the transitional stage that happens prior to menopause. (Read our entire A-to-Z menopause guide here.)
For Paltrow, perimenopause started at around age 45. For some, though, it happens as early as their mid-30s (this is what every 35-year-old needs to know about the upcoming changes) and typically kicks in somewhere around age 40. Paltrow told People that while it has been a “roller coaster,” she thinks it’s important to bring this process to light. “I’m glad that there is a big change in the culture and women are talking about this now. Because in my mother’s generation that was not the case whatsoever,” she said.
“I’m really in the thick of perimenopause,” she continued. “My best advice is that every woman really needs to contemplate what is the right way for her,” she said of managing symptoms. Here’s our guide to skincare designed for estrogen loss.
At first, Paltrow clocked a “shift” in her body—but since mainstream menopause discussions are few and far between, she knew contributing to public discourse around the subject was going to be necessary. “I just thought it was so strange that there was nowhere that I could go to understand if everything I was going through was normal,” she told People. (Hint: There’s actually nothing “normal” about menopause.) That’s one of the reasons Oprah joined forces with Drew Barrymore, Maria Shriver, Sharon Malone, MD, and Heather Hirsch, MD, early in 2023; you can watch their conversation about menopause here.
Paltrow also told People how impressed she is with the wealth of support that’s popped up in the past few years. “There are a lot of great options available, whether it’s HRT or different supplements,” she said. (This is the 411 on available hormone treatments—and how to get them.) She also pointed out that a wonderful community has been created thanks to people finally sharing their experiences. “There’s all these platforms that are being created to help women through it,” she said.
“I’m just glad everybody’s talking about it because it used to be so full of shame and it’s just another chapter for us,” Paltrow said. “It’s nothing to be hidden.”
Read Oprah Daily’s full curriculum on menopause here.
Cassie Hurwitz (she/her) is an associate editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers everything from culture to entertainment to lifestyle. She can typically be found in the middle of multiple books and TV shows all at once. Previously, Cassie worked at Parents, Rachael Ray In Season, and Reveal. Her love language is pizza (New York slices, Chicago deep dish, and otherwise).
