When actress Halle Berry recently revealed she was misdiagnosed with herpes instead of perimenopause and Oprah was misdiagnosed with a heart problem instead of menopause, it highlighted a pervasive issue in women’s healthcare - the widespread misdiagnosis and misunderstanding of perimenopause and menopause.
This problem, of course, is not confined to the rich and famous. But it does highlight the fact that if they get sub-par treatment when they have access to world-class medical care, then what hope do the rest of us have?!
The Complexities of Perimenopause
Perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, involves fluctuating hormone levels that can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
-
Irregular periods
-
Fatigue
-
Anxiety
-
Mood swings
-
Hot flashes
-
Decreased sex drive
-
Vaginal dryness
Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms can mimic or overlap with many other conditions, making accurate diagnosis challenging. However, the issues go beyond the complexity of symptoms; they are rooted in the medical community’s historical neglect of women’s health issues.
For further reading check out: 8 Menopause Symptoms That May Surprise You
Halle Berry’s Story
Halle Berry’s misdiagnosis is a horrifying example. In a candid conversation with Dr Jill Biden at the “A Day of Unreasonable Conversation” Summit earlier this year Halle shared how she learned she was in perimenopause after her doctor mistook her symptoms for herpes.
Halle had gone to see her doctor when experiencing extreme pain after having intercourse. “He said, ‘you have the worst case of herpes I’ve ever seen.’ I’m like, ‘Herpes? I don’t have herpes!”. It was only after seeking a second opinion that she found out she was experiencing perimenopause, and that the vaginal dryness she was experiencing was a symptom.
This highlights the extraordinary lack of education within the healthcare community.
And Halle is not alone:
Oprah Winfrey
Despite her fortune and resources, Oprah couldn’t get her doctors to take her menopause symptoms seriously. She recently told a panel of women, including Maria Shiver and Drew Barrymore, on an OprahDaily.com episode about her difficulties in getting clear, helpful information and treatment for menopause.She told her guests how doctors never explained to her that the heart palpitations she began experiencing in her late 40s were likely caused by entering menopause.
Winfrey revealed, “I never had a hot flash in my life. Never had one… but I started [menopause] at 48 with heart palpitations. And I went from doctor to doctor, literally five different doctors”. Never once was she told that this could be perimenopause or menopause. She continued to tell her guests that she only discovered the connection by accident. “I just happened to be in the office one day and opened a book and saw ‘heart palpitations symptoms of perimenopause.’”
Penny Lancaster
Television presenter, former model, and wife of Rod Stewart was also misdiagnosed. Her doctor told her she was suffering from depression and prescribed her antidepressants.Lancaster told The Times she was terrified she was having a breakdown. It was her fellow castmates on ITV’s talk show, Loose Women, who first alerted her to the possibility that she could be experiencing menopause.
On finally getting correctly diagnosed, Lancaster said, “I burst into tears because of the good news. I’m not going mad. I can save my marriage. I can keep my family together. I thought everything was falling apart.”
Sadly, these stories are not uncommon due primarily to the lack of education within the medical community. An AARP study confirmed this stating that “nearly 80 percent of medical residents admit that they feel “barely comfortable” discussing or treating menopause.”
Change Is Coming!
With more celebrities and well-known faces sharing their stories, things are starting to change. The increased conversation around perimenopause and menopause is finally raising awareness, which will ultimately lead to better care and treatments.
This increased conversation around perimenopause and menopause has led to potential advancements in care.
Historic Menopause Legislation
In May of this year, Halle Berry and a group of bipartisan senators (above) introduced new historic legislation. If passed The Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act would be the most expansive effort so far to address menopause and would authorize $275M over five years. According to Fortune, under the proposal $125 million would be set aside for clinical trials, public health and medical research on menopause. The remaining money would help support menopause detection and diagnosis, train doctors on treating menopause and raising public awareness around it.Takeaway
Regardless of financial circumstances, many women currently face challenges in finding the right care and support. It’s essential to be persistent, as it may take several attempts to find the right practitioner and treatment. Always seek medical advice to rule out other potential issues. And the good news: perimenopause and menopause are getting a lot more attention!!
For helpful resources check out our: Quick Guide: Essential Perimenopause and Menopause Resources
Also, check out Halle Berry, Dr Jessica Shepherd, and Dr Pauline Maki on Good Morning America as they answer menopause questions and discuss hormones, treatments, and more.
---
NOTE: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. It should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.