AceShowbiz - Halle Berry, the acclaimed "Catwoman" star, recently shared her experience of misdiagnosing perimenopause as herpes. Speaking at the A Day of Unreasonable Conversation summit, Berry recounted her ordeal and emphasized the importance of raising awareness about women's health issues.

After experiencing extreme pain during intimacy with her boyfriend, Berry visited a doctor, who initially suspected she had a severe case of herpes. However, tests revealed that neither she nor her partner carried the infection.

"I realized after the fact that is a symptom of perimenopause," Berry explained to First Lady Jill Biden. Her doctor had not informed her about this potential symptom, prompting her to recognize the need for greater education on the subject.

Perimenopause, the transitional period leading up to menopause, can manifest various symptoms due to fluctuating hormone levels. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these symptoms include mood changes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Berry emphasized that every woman, regardless of her health habits, will experience menopause unless her ovaries are removed before puberty. She stressed the need to change cultural perceptions of women during this stage of life and celebrate it as a time of growth.

"We are not done. We're just getting started in our next act," Berry affirmed. "This is a glorious time of life."

Berry's experience highlights a gap in women's health knowledge, particularly regarding perimenopause symptoms. By sharing her story, she aims to empower women to advocate for their health and seek proper medical attention.

The Oscar winner has been in a relationship with Van Hunt since 2020 and is a co-parent to two children from previous relationships.