Gabrielle Union, 53, says menopause made her rethink how she looks at life

"It challenges you to look at life differently - and not as an ending, but as a beginning,"

"And initially, I felt shamed. I felt like my value as a woman was diminishing. I felt very isolated,"

"Over time, now, I feel empowered and I'm going to talk about it and I'm not going to lose a thing,"

"I'd wake up in the morning and it was like someone had poured a gallon of water on the bed."

Gabrielle Union experienced early menopause that initially produced shame, isolation, and a sense that her value as a woman was diminishing. Over time, she reframed menopause as a beginning and embraced empowerment, choosing to speak openly about her experience. Hot flashes began in her 40s, sometimes drenching bedding and occurring publicly at media events where others offered napkins. She reported symptom improvement after adopting an anti-inflammatory diet excluding gluten, dairy, alcohol, and caffeine. The experience influenced her outlook on life and prompted public conversation, and other celebrities have also shared struggles with perimenopause.

Read at Business Insider