Navigating menopause can sometimes seem like wandering through a perplexing labyrinth with no clear exit. One moment you might be grappling with an intense hot flash, and the next, you find yourself unexpectedly overwhelmed by tears for no apparent reason. In a heartfelt panel discussion for OLLY’s launch of the new ‘Mellow Menopause‘ supplement, actress and advocate Hilarie Burton reflected on her own journey through perimenopause, highlighting the silence that often surrounds such struggles.
“Talking about things is how you dispel that negative secrecy,” Burton told Flow Space in an exclusive interview. “”When I started experiencing symptoms, almost immediately, I knew that I wanted to talk about it, because I knew that women would come out of the woodwork.”
Breaking the silence
Burton drew parallels with her involvement in the Me Too movement, in addition to speaking out on fertility and workplace inequalities. Her openness about her own menopause symptoms on social media has resonated deeply with so many of her followers, reinforcing her belief in creating safe spaces where women can share their stories and support each other.
“I want everyone to feel like they have a spot where they can speak their truth and it’s OK,” Burton said. “You can find commonality in that.”
Choosing to partner with OLLY was an easy decision for Burton, who felt a deep connection with the brand’s humorous approach to wellness and its emphasis on feminine perspectives in product design. Burton praised the accessibility of OLLY’s products, which are designed to be simple to incorporate into daily routines and available in everyday retail spaces, making wellness more democratic and less daunting.
“So much of my lifestyle in my late 30s and early 40s has been about starting new habits that will carry me through the next two decades and are easy to start,” she explained. “OLLY’s products are easy to take. They’re easy to remember. And they’re accessible, which is extremely important to me.”
From teen starlet to menopause advocate
Additionally, Burton addressed the unrealistic age expectations Hollywood sets for society. Best known for her role as Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill, she shared insights from her time portraying a teenager on the show and discussed the enduring effect it had on public perceptions of her appearance.
“I played a teenager for a long time, and the pressure to remain youthful, almost frozen in time, really bothered me from the start,” she mentioned. “I was in my 20s, not an actual teenager, and by the time people were tuning in, I was in my 30s and 40s. Even now, new viewers still expect me to look like I’m 17. So, my form of immature rebellion was to thrust my menopause in their face.”
Burton’s turning point came when she began seeing a doctor who prioritized a thorough understanding of her medical history, transforming her approach to healthcare. This shift not only changed her personal health trajectory but also reinforced the importance of proactive and empathetic medical practices.
“I didn’t know a lot about my medical background because I didn’t know lots of members of my family. Because of that, I didn’t have anyone I could ask,” Burton said. “So being able to speak with my female doctor, who works at Parsley Health, which specializes in women’s healthcare, was a game changer. I no longer felt like a freak show anymore. I felt like I was part of a sorority.”
Championing women’s health
Burton’s candid disclosures about her past medical neglect underscores the profound transformation brought about by receiving comprehensive care. This, she argued, could fundamentally alter the landscape of women’s health, reducing unnecessary suffering and promoting a healthier future for all women.
“We must normalize it, not just for the women who are going through it, but for the young women who haven’t gone through it,” she said. “For the teenagers, for the boys, for the husbands, for everyone in the community to see it and know that it’s normal.”
Ending on a hopeful note, Burton expressed a desire for all women to have access to the tools and support they need to navigate health challenges without undue suffering. Through products like OLLY and open conversations about menopause, Burton sees a future where women are better equipped to handle the physical changes that come with each life stage, reducing the potential for heartache and promoting overall well-being.
“I just want to raise an army of really brassy chicks that look at menopause as an opportunity to show off how strong we are,” she said.