Naomi Watts Turned Her Menopause Confusion Into Resources For Other Women

We live in a culture where far too many things are labeled taboo — especially when it comes to women's health. Not only are discussions about menstruation frowned upon and even banned in some cases, but for some, the very mention of menopause causes their head to spin. Because everyone with ovaries will experience menopause at some point, it's something we need to talk about, and Naomi Watts is proudly leading that charge.

Watts was only 36 when she started menopause — the average age is 51 in the U.S. — and like many women, she was confused about what was happening to her body. At the time, she was trying to get pregnant, but couldn't. It was only after bloodwork results revealed something not many 36-year-olds hear: Watts was close to menopause, that reality hit home. "This was the moment I recalled my mother saying she'd gone in early to menopause," the actor said on the "Hello Menopause" podcast in May 2024, adding that other than that memory, she had no idea what to expect. "I mean, I'd never heard of the word perimenopause, definitely, at that point," she commented. "I'd heard about menopause, but not perimenopause."

Because Watts realized she couldn't possibly be the only one who didn't understand what was going on with their body, she decided to do something about it. After all, if Oprah Winfrey doesn't shy away from discussing her menopause symptoms, no one should. Not only has Watts become an advocate for menopause education, but she's also written a book and launched the skincare and wellness brand, Stripes Beauty, to help other women navigate this new chapter in their lives.

Although menopause is a natural part of life, the topic isn't high on the list of priorities in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. According to a 2023 study published in Menopause Journal, only 31.3% of residents receive any sort of menopause-related education — a terrifyingly low percentage considering how many people experience menopause. The same study found that 92.9% of residents believe menopause curriculum should be standardized across the country.

It was findings like these, and the desire to kick stigmas to the curb, that inspired Watts to write her book, "Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause," in 2025. A whopping 6,000 women start menopause each day in the U.S., so it's a real problem when doctors have a lack of training on the subject, and some women still feel too ashamed to even bring it up. "Every single woman, if they're lucky enough, will go through menopause," Watts told NPR in January 2025. But despite how many people will experience it, a lot don't know much about what perimenopause is or how to identify menopause symptoms. "It's really staggering how there is still a hangover for, you know, keeping it a secret," Watts said. "And the rest of us, who are not going to go through menopause, should know about it."

Watts' book isn't just about understanding menopause, but also advocating for yourself, especially if you come across a doctor who dismisses your symptoms, which, unfortunately, isn't uncommon. "I'm not trying to profess to be a doctor at all," Watts told NPR. "But I encourage people to go to a doctor who is going to give them the full spectrum of options based on their medical history."

Because there's such a lack of education regarding menopause, most people assume that the symptoms are limited to hot flashes, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. For example, menopause can bring on major changes in your skin, including dryness, thinning, and an increased vulnerability to sun damage. Menopause can also do a number on your hair, which some celebrities have opened up about. In 2023, Gabrielle Union discussed the hair loss she experienced in the early stages of menopause.

With menopause symptoms running the gamut, and not enough products on the market addressing those symptoms, Naomi Watts was inspired to launch Stripes Beauty in 2022. "When you lose the estrogen, your skin becomes thinner, crepier, and it lacks that elasticity," Watts told People in December 2025. The actor's wellness brand focuses on skincare products, like moisturizers and serums, that are specifically designed to boost hydration and target menopausal symptoms. 

But Stripes Beauty doesn't just carry external moisturizers; it also has products for vaginal wellness and supplements. The brand fits perfectly into Watts' mission to de-stigmatize menopause, and on the website, you can even search for products based on specific symptoms. Although the actor was initially hesitant to get into the beauty space, we're glad she did. As women get older, their skin and wellness needs change, and Watts is the perfect advocate for the menopause revolution.