Halle Berry has never been someone to shy away from an uncomfortable truth. Speaking on CBS This Morning show, she opened up about the moment she discovered she was in perimenopause—not with guidance or preparation, but through a misdiagnosis that terrified her before anyone thought to examine her hormones.
“First of all, I found out I was in menopause in the most horrific way. I was diagnosed with herpes instead of with menopausal symptoms. And that got me awakened to this idea: if I had this little information, I wonder what millions of other women don’t have.”
Halle Berry visited her gynecologist after experiencing extreme pain and vaginal dryness during intercourse. Shockingly, Berry said the gynecologist thought her symptoms were similar to herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. The gynecologist said she had the worst case of herpes they had ever seen.
Later, the doctor called back to say that the diagnosis was wrong. The real culprit was vaginal dryness, a common symptom of perimenopause, something Berry had no idea she was experiencing.
“If I had this little information,” she reflected, “I wonder what millions of other women don’t have.”
The answer to that question is: quite a lot.
The Medical World Was Never Built to Identify Perimenopause Symptoms
Unfortunately, Halle Berry’s misdiagnosis is not an anomaly. In a 2025 national survey of more than 1,000 U.S. women, 39% of participants reported feeling misdiagnosed when seeking care for perimenopause symptoms. This exposes a healthcare system that repeatedly treats mental health conditions as isolated issues, without addressing the underlying hormonal changes that women may be experiencing.
The survey found that seven of the eight conditions identified may result from perimenopause or menopause rather than clinical depression.
Moreover, sleep disruptions, changes in appetite, fatigue, lack of concentration, and mood disturbances are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Astonishingly, in 2020, researchers discovered that funding bodies allocated only 5% of global research and development funding to women’s health, with just 1% covering all non-cancer female conditions—including menopause.
What Halle Berry Did Next
SPC James Gordon, USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rather than retreat from the experience, Berry transformed it. This misdiagnosis became the catalyst for Respin Health, her women’s wellness platform, and for a very public commitment to breaking the silence around menopause.
“I am challenging everything that I know about menopause. Like, your life is over. You are disposable. Society no longer has a place for you. You should retire. You should pack it up. I’m challenging all of those stereotypes.”
Halle Berry believes only women can push to de-stigmatize menopause. Bravely, Halle Berry stated that this begins with the types of conversations we have. By talking about it with husbands, partners, brothers, and coworkers, we can normalize it and allow them to talk about it as well.
What Happens When We Don’t Address Menopause Symptoms
Currently, women comprise about 70–80% of the global health workforce, and over half of these workers are aged 45 and above. However, while women form the backbone of our healthcare system, only a minority of them hold leadership positions. Consequently, women’s health, particularly menopausal health, is not appropriately prioritized as a global health concern.
Societal stigma and ignorance surrounding menopause marginalize menopausal women. A lack of understanding from society and employers at large regarding the complex emotional and psychological changes women face during perimenopause and menopause perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This can erode self-esteem, cause workplace discrimination and career stagnation, and even prompt early resignations. Despite these challenges, Halle Berry’s outlook during her menopause journey is positive.
“I’m solidly in who I am and what I have to offer and what I have to say. I finally realize it’s valuable, even if no one else agrees—it’s my point of view. And I have a right to have it, so, you know, that’s what I say. Own wherever you are. That’s where I’m at.”
Failure to address menopause-related symptoms such as cognitive fog and emotional instability can impact women in all areas of their lives: physically, emotionally, socially, and economically.
Why Halle Berry’s Misdiagnosis Is Significant
Part of what makes actress Halle Berry’s misdiagnosis so significant is how easily she and her doctor could have avoided it—had they considered perimenopause from the start. Doctors frequently attribute the wide range of symptoms signaling the perimenopause transition to other conditions. These include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, low mood and anxiety, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, vaginal dryness, increased urinary tract infections, joint pain, and changes in skin and hair.
Halle Berry encourages women to dig deeper into their diagnoses and embrace where they are in life. She said that women should really take the time to figure themselves out. Moreover, it shouldn’t be a rushed or forced process because it’s not a race. Everyone has their own journey.
How to Protect Against Misdiagnosis
- Appropriate and comprehensive menopausal education must be integrated into training programs for all healthcare providers.
- Women can learn to recognize symptoms themselves. Keeping a symptom diary can help identify irregular periods, poor sleep, low mood, and brain fog. A written record makes it harder for a doctor to dismiss the experience.
- Talk about it. The less menopause is whispered about, the less likely another woman will sit in a doctor’s office and be misdiagnosed.
- Seek out credible information. Platforms like Halle Berry’s Respin Health and Longevity LIVE provide access to clear information.
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