Oprah Winfrey is teaming up with Halle Berry and Naomi Watts for a television special about menopause. This groundbreaking program aims to address a topic that affects women worldwide, bringing much-needed attention to an often overlooked health issue.
The 71-year-old TV icon has announced “An Oprah Winfrey Special: The Menopause Revolution,” which is coming to ABC on March 31 before it arrives on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. The multi-platform release strategy is designed to reach the widest possible audience for this important health discussion.
“When I was around 48 years old, I thought I was dying and went from doctor to doctor trying to understand why my heart was racing, and did not receive any answers until I picked up a book and read how heart palpitations can be a symptom indicating a change is coming to your body,” she said in a statement. Many women experience similar symptoms without proper medical guidance or diagnosis.
“This show starts the revolution of answers for millions of women throughout this country. We discuss what you need to know to best advocate for yourself when it comes to mental health, sleep, weight, sex, and your brain so we can ultimately see how freeing menopause can be in your life, with the best yet to come.” The special seeks to empower women with knowledge about this universal life transition.
The program will also feature experts discussing the physical and neurological changes women experiences, as well as appearances from celebrity advocates like Watts, Berry and Maria Shriver. Medical research has identified numerous symptoms associated with menopause, yet public discussion of these issues has historically been limited.
Author and OB-GYN Doctor Mary Claire Have and comedian Leanne Morgan are also part of the lineup, along with a selection of everyday women who have been affected by the issues. The special aims to break the stigma surrounding menopause, which impacts women’s quality of life and well-being.
Over the last year, Winfrey also has fronted ABC specials focused on obesity and weight-loss drugs, and artificial intelligence. Her health-focused programming has consistently drawn millions of viewers, highlighting the public’s growing interest in wellness education.
Winfrey previously described weight-loss drugs as a “gift” and declared she refused to be “shamed” about her weight anymore. Her candid approach to personal health struggles has resonated with audiences across the country.
“I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing,” she told PEOPLE magazine. “The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.” Weight fluctuations are a common challenge for many women during and after menopause.
But she stressed that she doesn’t rely solely on the medication to control her weight. Health experts emphasize that comprehensive approaches to weight management are most effective, combining medication with lifestyle changes when appropriate.
“After knee surgery, I started hiking and setting new distance goals each week. I could eventually hike three to five miles every day and a 10-mile straight-up hike on weekends. I felt stronger, more fit and more alive than I’d felt in years,” she said. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce menopause symptoms in clinical studies.
“I eat my last meal at 4 o’clock, drink a gallon of water a day, and use the WeightWatchers principles of counting points. I had an awareness of [weight-loss] medications, but felt I had to prove I had the willpower to do it. I now no longer feel that way.” Different dietary approaches can help women manage menopausal changes effectively.
The upcoming menopause special promises to bring critical women’s health issues to mainstream discussion, with early production reports indicating it will cover treatments ranging from hormone replacement therapy to holistic approaches. Medical professionals have praised the initiative, noting that increased awareness could lead to better healthcare outcomes for women worldwide.
