Initially, doctors diagnosed her with herpes, which caused both Berry and Hunt to worry about transmission and health implications. However, the situation soon took an unexpected turn: her doctor later confirmed that neither Berry nor Hunt had herpes. The true cause was perimenopause, the transitional stage leading up to menopause.
Understanding Perimenopause
Perimenopause, often called the menopausal transition, can occur several years before menopause. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can involve a range of symptoms, including:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes
- Vaginal and bladder discomfort
- Pain during sexual activity
For Berry, the condition led to vaginal dryness and significant discomfort, sometimes referred to as “vaginal atrophy” or “dry vagina syndrome.” She shared, “My doctor had no knowledge and didn’t prepare me. That’s when I knew I have to use my platform to make a difference for other women.”
Raising Awareness
Since this experience, Berry has focused on women’s health education. In March 2024, she joined First Lady Jill Biden at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit in Los Angeles to highlight midlife health challenges for women.
Berry emphasized the importance of open conversations about perimenopause, noting that many women are confused or misdiagnosed when symptoms first appear. Experts agree that symptoms are sometimes mistaken for anxiety, depression, or STIs.
By sharing her story, Berry hopes to encourage women to seek care, understand their bodies, and feel less stigma around natural life changes. She stated, “We have to talk about it. This is something every woman goes through, and no one should feel ashamed.”