Halle Berry is joining a group of senators from both parties to support legislation that would allocate $275 million for menopause research and education. Menopause is a major hormonal transition that occurs in middle age for women.
The bill asks the federal government to increase funding for hormone therapy, which is used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms, as well as clinical trials related to menopause.
On Thursday, Berry, 57, yelled about menopause in front of the US Capitol. She mentioned that her own physician had informed her he was afraid to speak such phrase in front of her.
“Alright, I’m in menopause.” Berry shouted, causing the audience to laugh. Menopause has to be devoid of its stigma. We need to discuss this very common occurrence in our lives. Our doctors are unable to communicate with us verbally, much less guide us through the process.
The well-known Hollywood performer has been open in recent months about the uncomfortable symptoms she went through during her perimenopause, which is the period of time before menopause when a woman’s oestrogen levels start to decline. Berry and her partner both tested negative for the sexually transmitted illness herpes, which her doctor initially mistook as the condition.
Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Patty Murray of Washington have proposed allocating $125 million (NZ$209 million) for clinical trials, public health, and medical research related to menopause. The remaining funds would be used to train medical professionals in menopause treatment, assist menopausal detection and diagnosis, and increase public understanding of menopause.
According to Murray, menopause is not a dirty word, something to be embarrassed about, or something that the federal government or Congress should overlook.
Seventeen senators—three Republicans, thirteen Democrats, one independent, and all of them female—support the bill. The bill, according to a number of senators, should encourage medical professionals—men and women alike—to talk more candidly about the health milestone that we all share.
Aside from Berry, other celebrities have begun discussing menopause more on talk programs and in interviews; some have even begun marketing menopause-related goods. Additionally, President Joe Biden unveiled a fresh plan last year to enhance federal research on women’s health, particularly menopause. The director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, has stated that not enough is known about the health of women at all phases of life. The principal medical research branch of the federal government is her agency.
The legislation’s future is unclear, even though it has overcome what is usually one of Congress’s largest obstacles: bipartisan support. Getting bills through Congress is never easy, but these days it’s even more difficult due to the division on the Hill and the shortening of the legislative schedule before November’s election.
Murkowski expressed her excitement about receiving assistance from her male colleagues. “We would have appropriately and adequately funded the research (into) menopause decades and decades ago if men went through menopause.”
