Alyssa Milano recently spoke openly about her experience of menopause, emphasizing that this period of her life helped her feel her true strength.
The actress also shared that she hasn't had a panic attack in years.
"A lot of the content about menopause suggests that women need to be 'returned to normal.' But I think that's exactly wrong because the goal is not to go back to my old self. Instead, I want to explore and embrace the person I am now," Milano told AARP.
Milano turned this personal discovery into a documentary series, "BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey." The series, which she co-produced with Jeannie May and directed by nuns and filmmakers Sadhvi Sidali Sri and Sadhvi Anubhuti, explores the challenges and transformations of women going through perimenopause over four episodes.
In the series, she also spoke about her own struggles to receive hormone therapy, after doctors initially downplayed it and advised her:
"You just gave birth; go for a walk or take up yoga."
But when she started hormone therapy, Milano says she felt truly "balanced" for the first time.
"It's about changing the narrative and really listening to women," she emphasized.
Milano believes that the generation of women now entering perimenopause is different - louder, economically independent, and creatively powerful.
"There are far fewer who will disappear quietly," she said.
The actress, who recently returned to Broadway and is starring in the musical "Chicago," revealed that dancing with her friends helps her stay active and connected to her community:
"Every Tuesday night I gather my friends to dance. Dancing involves a lot of strength training, and there's something magical about moving your body together," she said.
She also wrote the screenplay, which she attributes to menopause.
"I wouldn't have had the courage to do this if I hadn't gone through this period and found my strength. I've never felt so empowered as I do now," she concluded.
Bonus video:
