Latest news with #RespinHealth
Buzz Feed
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Halle Berry's Racy Mother's Day Post Shocks Fans
It's no secret that Halle Berry is pretty carefree when it comes to her sex life. Earlier this year, Halle launched a women's wellness business called Respin Health, which is focused on 'redefining menopause and longevity.' The brand sells a 'wellness device' designed by an OB-GYN, as well as a gel that is designed to 'elevate intimacy for everyone.' And this weekend, Halle took to Instagram to promote her brand's new intimacy gel with a…very candid video. Joined by her boyfriend of four years, Van Hunt, Halle was snuggled under the covers in bed, seemingly wearing nothing. 'I'm not gonna show you, I'm gonna tell you about how my Mother's Day is gonna end,' she said before giggling and turning to Van, who urged her to 'hurry up' with the video. Laughing, Halle continued: 'First of all, we got our Let's Spin, because Let's Spin just came out in this cute little travel size. And so, since we're in Cannes, France, I traveled with it for the first time. And we're about to give it a spin.' 'Happy Mother's Day once again, everybody. I hope all of you are somewhere spinning,' she said, while Van added: 'Oh my God, I've never been so happy to have Mother's Day come to an end.' The racy video immediately left tons of internet users stunned. 'ummmm are we interrupting something,' one person commented, while another echoed, 'Ummm I feel like I shouldn't be here with y'all.' Meanwhile, so many users couldn't help but comment on how happy Halle seemed. 'My girl living her best life! This is my definition of 'living my life and not giving af,'' one response read. 'Miss Berry living her best life and we love that for you!' someone agreed. Good for you, Halle!
Los Angeles Times
31-03-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
The Graceful Mind: How Women Can Rewire Their Brains in Midlife
Let's start with a truth bomb: your brain is not broken. If you've ever found yourself wandering into a room and forgetting why or rereading the same paragraph for the fourth time, you're not alone. For many women navigating perimenopause and menopause, brain fog and forgetfulness aren't failures — they're part of the hormonal shift. According to Respin Health Clinical Lead Dr. Sarah de la Torre, 'Sixty million American women are navigating menopause symptoms at this very moment.' But here's what's often left out of the conversation: this isn't a story about decline — it's about evolution. Because within the hormonal noise is a powerful scientific truth that's often overlooked: neuroplasticity. We tend to reduce menopause to hot flashes and night sweats, but the brain is undergoing just as many changes as the body. According to findings published in New Scientist, perimenopause alters brain energy levels, white matter connectivity, and estrogen activity in the hippocampus — the part of the brain that helps us learn and remember. These neurological shifts influence sleep, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Dr. de la Torre explains that these hormonal shifts typically include progesterone dropping first, which can lead to sleep issues, mood swings, increased anxiety, and changes in a woman's period. She further notes that fluctuating estrogen levels follow, impacting mood, sleep, joint pain, and yes — cognition. Research from the National Institutes of Health also notes that estrogen plays a protective role in memory and learning. As estrogen levels decline, some women experience temporary dips in mental clarity. Neuroplasticity is your brain's built-in ability to adapt, reorganize, and form new connections throughout life. 'Neuroplasticity offers a way for maintaining or even improving cognitive health during perimenopause and menopause and beyond,' says Dr. de la Torre. 'The brain has a lifelong ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections and strengthen existing ones as it responds to new experiences.' That means your brain isn't simply enduring menopause—it's responding to it. And with the right tools, you can actively support that process. Let's start with movement. Physical activity stimulates the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the growth and protection of brain cells. A brisk walk or morning stretch may feel simple, but it's helping your brain rewire and stay sharp. 'Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which keeps the neurons healthy, and can even promote the growth of new neurons,' says Dr. de la Torre. Next up: sleep. It's more than just rest; it's neurological restoration. 'Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and overall brain function,' she says. During deep sleep, your brain cleans out toxins, strengthens synapses, and builds memory. And while menopause may interfere with that rest, establishing sleep hygiene habits — like screen-free evenings or mindful wind-down routines — can help you reclaim it. Nutrition also plays a starring role. Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, healthy fats, and leafy greens all nourish your brain. 'Nutrition is the foundation of all our health, and that includes our brain health,' notes Dr. de la Torre. But brain support isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional, too. Challenging your brain with new skills, books, or even brain-training apps builds resilience. And staying socially connected protects cognitive function just as powerfully. People with good social connections are more likely to have enhanced cognitive function and better emotional well-being, Dr. de la Torre explains. And when it comes to stress? It's a memory killer. Chronic stress shrinks the hippocampus, but mindfulness, breathing exercises, and small daily rituals can help buffer the brain from burnout. Aging isn't a neurological sentence, it's a new chapter. One where you get to rewire your mind for clarity, curiosity, and strength.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Halle Berry's painful menopause symptom was mistaken for herpes. How to tell the difference between perimenopause symptoms, STIs & UTIs
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Halle Berry's personal experience with a painful perimenopause symptom propelled her to use her status as an Oscar-winning actress to raise awareness for women's health. The 58-year-old appeared on a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show to speak candidly about why she's committed to helping women navigate their health through menopause. Berry opened up about a startling health misdiagnosis she received when she was 54. The star said she was in the early stages of a relationship with her partner, singer Van Hunt, and was having "the best time." 'Then one morning I tried to go to the bathroom and I couldn't go," she told host Drew Barrymore. "It was so painful when I tried to let a little bit out... it took me almost 10 minutes to just empty my bladder because it was so painful.' The "Never Let Go" actress said after an examination, her doctor told her that she had a "bad case of herpes." Following the news, Berry said she and Hunt spent the next 72 hours "playing the blame game" and trying to figure out how she could have contracted the herpes virus. Eventually, her doctor called to tell her she had been misdiagnosed, but couldn't provide answers to the cause of Berry's pain. Berry took it upon herself to begin researching her symptoms. "That's when I came up with dry vagina syndrome that women have when they're in perimenopause. And I had all the symptoms of what that felt like...," she said. Barrymore, who recently turned 50, said that the condition can cause intimacy to feel "like sandpaper." Berry agreed, comparing her pain to "razor blades." Over the next few years, Berry became passionate about women's health and founded Respin Health. The online platform is designed to educate people one perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause symptoms and provide resources and experts to help women navigating the transitional period of their life. Barry's experience shed a light on a common issue many women face: confusing perimenopause symptoms with other health conditions like UTIs and STIs. By understanding the common symptoms and how they differ from other conditions, women can seek appropriate care and avoid the pitfalls of misdiagnosis. Yahoo Canada previously spoke to Dr. Michelle Jacobson, a menopause specialist in Toronto, on how women can distinguish between these overlapping symptoms — and when to see a doctor. Here's what you need to know. Perimenopause is a phase that often goes unrecognized because its symptoms can mimic those of other conditions. Jacobson pointed out, "It's usually not very obvious that a patient's symptoms might be because of perimenopause." Women might still have regular periods, which makes it harder to link their symptoms to hormonal changes. One key aspect of perimenopause is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which brings a range of symptoms like dryness, abnormal discharge and urinary discomfort. This happens because sex steroid deficiencies, like estrogen and testosterone, impact the tissue of the vulva, the vagina and the lower urinary tract. "It could be dryness, it could be abnormal discharge, it could be burning, itchiness," Jacobson said. These signs are easily confused with infections, because they can mimic the sensation of a UTI, including bleeding during or after sex, or feeling like you can't empty your bladder. "All of these things happen when you get sex steroid deficiencies, but it's important to be able to recognize it for what it is." Misdiagnosing perimenopause symptoms as UTIs or STIs is a significant issue. Women may end up receiving unnecessary antibiotics or other treatments that don't address the real problem — hormonal imbalance. Jacobson emphasized the importance of recognizing GSM symptoms, as they can worsen without proper treatment. "The symptoms of GSM... get worse without [hormone] replacement," she notes, stressing the need for correct diagnosis and management. Any symptom in the vulva or the vagina... can masquerade as either infectious or inflammatory. Jacobson said we don't know how many women go misdiagnosed and mistreated in Canada, but it's estimated up to 80 per cent of women will experience some GSM symptoms over time. If you're unsure whether your symptoms are due to perimenopause or another condition, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider. Jacobson mentioned the MQ6 assessment tool, a set of questions recommended by the Society of OBGYNs of Canada (SOGC), to help identify menopausal signs. These key questions include: Any changes in your period? Are you having hot flashes? Any vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse? Any bladder issues or incontinence? How is your sleep? How is your mood? The expert advised women to seek medical advice rather than self-treating, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. "I think anybody who's got a persistent and worsening problem should be seen by their primary care practitioner," she you suspect your symptoms are not being taken seriously or are being misdiagnosed, Jacobson encouraged self-advocacy. "For a long time, menopause has been not well treated, and physicians have not felt confident in treating menopause. I think, if you feel that you are not being listened to or that your symptoms are being diminished, it's important to advocate for yourself," she assured. For a long time, menopause has been not well treated. Jacobson suggested that women request referrals to menopause specialists or seek expertise through relevant organizations, such as the SOGC. Ensuring that your healthcare provider considers perimenopause as a potential diagnosis is essential for receiving the right treatment. Since menopause is top-of-mind for many Yahoo Canada readers, we'd like to hear your story. Do you have unanswered questions about menopause that keep you up at night? Or perhaps you have an experience getting through the life stage you think the world should know? Reach out to to have your story featured in a Yahoo Canada piece.
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Halle Berry reveals the ‘defining moment' she had when doctor misdiagnosed her with herpes
Halle Berry has shared the 'defining moment' she had after her doctor misdiagnosed her with herpes. The 58-year-old actor recalled the incident when experiencing menopausal symptoms, during Tuesday's episode of The Drew Barrymore Show. She shared that after one morning when it 'took 10 minutes to empty her bladder,' she decided to go to the doctor. 'I thought, 'What is this?'' Berry explained. 'And [the doctor's] doing the exam, looking up there, and he said, 'Yep, I know what this is.' And I'm like, 'What?' He said, 'It's a really bad case of herpes.'' Following the appointment, Berry said that she and her boyfriend, Van Hunt, 'spent the next 72 hours kind of doing the blame game.' 'We were trying to figure out who gave it to me, who gave it to him,' she continued. 'And then a couple hours after that, my doctor called me and said: 'You do not have herpes.'' The Catwoman star questioned her symptoms before her doctor's response encouraged her to do more research. 'This was a defining moment for me. I'm like, 'What is this?' He said, 'I don't know, that's what it looked like,'' she added, referring to her doctor's misdiagnosing her with herpes. 'That sent me on my own reconnaissance, my own researching. And that's when I came up with dry vagina syndrome that women have when they're in perimenopause.' Berry acknowledged that she had all the symptoms of perimenopause, although 'nobody had really had serious conversations' about those symptoms when she was 54. According to John Hopkins Medicine, some symptoms of perimenopause include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, headaches, night sweats, changes in sexual desire, and night sweats. The Die Another Day star has previously shared how she was misdiagnosed with herpes. While appearing at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit in Los Angeles in March 2024, she shared her desire to shift the often negative narrative surrounding menopause – the life stage after a person's menstrual cycles end. She said that menopause and perimenopause cannot 'just be the doom and gloom story' and that it is in fact 'a glorious time of life.' Berry then began to explain how she discovered that she was perimenopausal, first quipping that she thought she was going to skip the experience: 'I'm very safe, I'm healthy, I managed to get myself off of insulin and manage my diabetes since I'm 20 years old.' The Gothika star once again acknowledged that she had to do her own research, after being misdiagnosed with herpes, as she and Hunt both tested negative for the disease. 'My doctor had no knowledge and didn't prepare me. That's when I knew, 'Oh my gosh, I've got to use my platform, I have to use all of who I am and I have to start making a change and a difference for other women,' Berry, who is the founder of Respin Health — a company that redefines menopause and female longevity — said.
