Gabrielle Union Opens Up About Perimenopause Journey And Advocates For Women’s Health
Gabrielle Union has recently shared her personal journey through perimenopause, shedding light on a topic often shrouded in secrecy. At 51 years old, the actress is speaking out to help other women navigate the challenges of this natural life transition.
Perimenopause, the stage leading up to menopause, can bring about a range of physical and emotional changes. Gabrielle initially noticed something was off when she began experiencing irregular periods, mood swings, and other symptoms at the age of 37.
She admits, “I just felt off, that’s probably the most accurate way I could describe it.”
After consulting with healthcare professionals and undergoing a full blood panel, she received confirmation that she was in perimenopause. The news initially surprised her, as she associated it with older women. However, perimenopause can affect women at various ages, and Gabrielle’s story highlights the importance of understanding and addressing it.
Among the symptoms she encountered, hair loss was one of the most challenging for the Perfect Find actress, particularly given her public image. She explains, “All of it can feel very isolating and you can feel like less of a woman, especially as a Black woman where our hair is our crown. There’s literally the CROWN Act and I’m like, uh, my crown looks more like a barrette at this moment”
Hair loss was just one aspect of her experience, which also included hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood changes and weight gain.
Gabrielle emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and discussing perimenopause openly. Highlighting how isolating it can be when women are dismissed or misunderstood during this phase, she recalled, “You just feel defective, right?”
She then added that it is essential not to write off women based on their age or symptoms.
To help women better understand their own perimenopausal experiences, Gabrielle is partnering with Clearblue to promote its Menopause Stage Indicator—a urine test combined with a health tracking app. This innovative tool enables women to monitor their symptoms and share detailed information with their doctors. Gabrielle praises the app for allowing women to document the severity of their symptoms and provide a comprehensive overview of their experiences during doctor visits.
Additionally, she said she made dietary changes based on recommendations from a hormone specialist, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet that limits gluten, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol. “It’s really changed everything,” she affirmed.
