Naomi Watts Gets Candid About Her Struggle With Early Menopause When She Was 36

In a recent interview, actress Naomi Watts bravely shared her challenging experience with early menopause at 36, navigating mood swings and migraines. 

However, she found liberation in embracing her authentic self and partnered with Menopause Mandate to support women in midlife. 

Watts praised Hollywood's evolving recognition of women's stories beyond a certain age but called for a better portrayal of menopause in films. 

Keep on reading to learn more.

Naomi Watts recently opened up about her challenging experience with early menopause at the age of 36. In an interview with Hello magazine, the 54-year-old actress revealed that the lack of information available during that time made the journey even more difficult.

Recalling the experience, she said, "Going through menopause at such a young age was not easy, especially during a time when there was so little information available about it." Watts added, "Mood swings, night sweats, and migraines…I was feeling like I was spiraling out of control."

Sharing her experience, Watts revealed that she found unexpected liberation in facing early menopause, leading her to embrace her authentic self. She explained, "Going through this journey led me to a deeper understanding of myself, and I came out on the other side feeling more authentically me." 

"A lot of freedom came in the self-acknowledgment," the actress added.

Watts continued, "I had those voices in the back of my mind reminding me how old women are let out to pasture, but there was a lure to this desire to be authentic, to crawl from behind the invisible wall and just acknowledge for myself something that everyone could have probably guessed."

Despite initial concerns about aging, Watts realized the power of authenticity and partnered with Menopause Mandate, a nonprofit aiming to provide support for women during their midlife. 

Reflecting on her struggles, Watts explained, "I truly believe that if menopause hadn't been such an off-limits topic when I first started experiencing symptoms, I would've had an easier transition," I was part of a cycle that desperately needed to be broken." 

"That's why I'm now so passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more honest conversations," she added.

In another part of the interview, "The Watcher" star celebrated the changing attitudes towards aging in Hollywood. She takes pride in continuing to work in the industry, breaking free from the outdated notion that women over 40 are pushed into retirement. "There's growing recognition that women's stories don't end at a certain age," she noted.

Although she acknowledged progress in Hollywood's inclusivity, Watts believes there's still room for improvement in portraying menopause adequately in films. "I do see evolution, I do see people taking risks and identifying interesting female-driven stories which is exactly how it should always have been," she said. 

"A woman's story is interesting at every stage, the longer the life, the deeper it gets and makes for interesting stories."

Watts, who recently married the "Almost Famous" star Billy Crudup, also reflected on the significance of finding love and nurturing a relationship later in life. 

She emphasized the importance of openness and honesty in any partnership, family, or workplace, stating, "The most valuable move for any relationship, partnership, workplace or family, is to just be open and honest about what you're going through," She added, "Most times this gives people a chance to be empathetic and know how to respond. And plus hiding is so much more exhausting."

Watts and Crudup tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in New York City after three years of dating, both having children from previous relationships.

Before marrying Crudup, the "King Kong" star was in an 11-year relationship with Liev Schreiber until they split in 2016. They share two children. Meanwhile, Crudup has a son, William, from his previous relationship with Mary-Louise Parker.