Watts is a British actor who first became famous through the 2001 film Mulholland Drive. Since then, Watts has worked in Ring, 21 grams and King Kong, and is a leading Hollywood actor.
Watts revealed his experience through his recently published book, “To Be Daring: Everything I Wish I Had Known About Menopause.”
Watts confessed in 2023 that he had suffered an early menopause that came at the early age of 36.
Watts, who visited the hospital because his pregnancy was not going well at the time, also vividly described the moment he was diagnosed with menopause. When the doctor said, “I think my menopause is coming to an end,” he said, “I was shocked and despaired to the point where I almost fell from the examination stand.”
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 48 and 52.
As for early menopause symptoms, he explained that he had experienced emotional ups and downs, cold sweat, and migraines, saying he felt like he was getting out of control.
“It’s not easy to go through menopause at a young age. It’s especially difficult because there’s little information about menopause,” he said. “It’s a vicious cycle to stop menopause being accepted as a prohibited topic.”
Watts argued that if menopause were not a banned topic, it would have been easier to accept it, and that conversations and resources were lacking to help women going through menopause.
He also said, “I was warned that I would never be able to work as an actress again, acknowledging menopause or even premenopausal,” adding, “In Hollywood, sexual temptation for such a woman is impossible.”
Watts pointed out the culture of discriminating against older women in Hollywood, saying, “Since I started acting, I have been warned that it is a professional suicide to be in the spotlight at my age.”
Watts also said, “By experiencing hormonal changes earlier at an early age, I was able to feel liberated and understand myself more deeply. Now celebrities text me regularly to let me know that I’m having menopause. I feel like I’ve become a Hollywood counselor.”
He added, “I decided to write this book after realizing that no one is hotter than a woman who knows what she wants.”
JENNIFER KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
