Oprah, Hormones, and the Revolution We’ve Been Waiting For

Courtesy ABC

Let’s all take a moment and remember where we were when Oprah talked about menopause on national television.  I was on my couch, in New York, experiencing the emotional whiplash of feeling seen, heard, and sweaty all at once.

On her ABC special, The Menopause Revolution, Oprah did what Oprah does - took something that’s been hiding in the shadows and gave it a well-lit stage and a comfy chair.  She gathered a panel of brilliant, bold, truth-telling women, including doctors, advocates, and celebrities like Maria Shriver and Halle Berry, looking like the group of best friends you wish you had. And these pioneers spoke loudly and unabashedly about what used to be quietly called “the change.”  

Hot Flashes, Brain Fog, and Medical Gaslighting – Oh My!

One by one, the women on that stage spoke truth to power: about the brain fog that makes you forget your own middle name. About waking up soaked in sweat at 3 a.m., wondering if memory foam is flamable. About going to doctors for help, only to be told “It’s just stress,” “It’s aging,” or my personal favorite: “Have you tried yoga?”

Yes. I tried yoga. I sweated through the mat, forgot the second half of the routine, and spent the rest of the week in child’s pose.

The conversation was full of “me too” moments. Not the hashtag kind - though, honestly, that’s not far off - but the kind that makes you feel less alone. The kind that makes you realize, you’re not crazy – your body is just navigating an epic hormonal sea change that every woman goes through and none ever talked about.

What Oprah Did (That Most of Us Couldn’t)

Here’s what hit me hardest: Oprah said she didn’t even know what was happening to her. Oprah. A woman with resources, access, and a Roladex of experts on speed dial. If Oprah didn’t know what perimenopause was until she was knee-deep in symptoms, what hope did the rest of us have?

Oprah could’ve stayed quiet. Oprah could’ve lit a candle, meditated, and “remembered her spirit.” But instead, Oprah brought this conversation to millions of couches and said: “You deserve better.”

Maria Shriver, a longtime advocate for women's health, emphasized the importance of this dialogue, stating, "Menopause isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a human issue."

From Shame to Spotlight

The special wasn’t just about symptoms - it was about liberation and recognition. About taking back ownership of our bodies, our stories, and yes, our prescriptions. It was about demanding medical equity and asking why half the population is left to muddle through this natural life transition with misinformation, stigma, or just plain silence.

Halle Berry, who has been vocal about her own menopause journey, shared, "We have to talk about this very normal part of our life that happens."

It gave me hope that we’re entering a new era - one where you don’t have to hide your body deodorant or whisper "HRT" like it’s a dirty word. One where women can say, “I’m in perimenopause,” and the room doesn’t go quiet like you just confessed to arson.

My Second Act Takeaway

Watching that special, I felt equal parts validated, enraged, and moved. And I wanted to grab every woman I know, sit her down with a glass of red wine (or a magnesium mocktail, depending on the day), and say:

“You are not broken. You are not alone. You are not going crazy. You are going through something powerful. And you deserve answers, support, and someone who will listen when you say, ‘I feel off.’”

So thank you, Oprah, for cracking the door open, for making space at the table, and for reminding us that this isn’t an ending. It’s the beginning of our Second Act.

And Honey, in this act - we speak the fucking truth. We carry hand fans. And we demand better - for ourselves, for our daughters, and for every woman who ever sat in a doctor’s office and said, “But what if it’s more than stress?”

Want a downloadable resource list? I got you. Want a support group that doesn’t suck? Let’s build it. Want to talk about hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or rage crying in a Walgreens parking lot? You’re in the right place.

We’re not hiding anymore.

Welcome to the revolution.