Halle Berry wants to change mentalities on the subject of menopause. The actress, who played Catwoman on screen, joined several US senators outside the Capitol on May 2 to lobby for a bill that would release tens of millions of dollars to advance research and awareness in the menopause field.
“I’m menopausal, okay?” she shouted to the crowd. “Menopause must stop being a source of shame, we must be able to talk about this completely normal part of our lives.”
To back up this claim, the former James Bond girl, 57, recounted a recent exchange with her doctor, during which he didn’t dare say the word menopause, for fear of offending her.
“Our doctors cannot even pronounce the word, much less accompany us throughout our trip,” he added facing the Capitol.
“Menopause is not a bad word”
The bill, introduced by influential Democratic Rep. Patty Murray and a handful of senators from both sides, aims to strengthen federal research, doctor training and public awareness on the issue.
“Menopause is not a bad word,” added Patty Murray. “And it’s not something that Congress or the federal government should neglect.”
The US president signed an executive order in mid-March directing his administration to prioritize long-neglected women’s health research.
In particular, it directs federal agencies to “prioritize” investments in research on women’s health, which for example has long been excluded from clinical trials.
Source: BFM TV
