In an industry that has traditionally treated women over 40 as if they’re approaching their expiration date, Naomi Watts does something remarkably brave with “Dare I Say It.” She not only acknowledges her age and menopausal status but celebrates this new chapter with humor, vulnerability, and a determination to help others navigate the same journey. The book serves as both personal memoir and practical guidebook through a transition that affects millions yet remains shrouded in whispers and misinformation.
Watts, now 54, was told at the startlingly young age of 36 that she was approaching menopause while simultaneously trying to become pregnant. This collision of life stages – the potential end of fertility just as she was trying to embrace motherhood – forms the emotional core of her narrative. Her openness about this painful contradiction sets the tone for a book that refuses to shy away from difficult truths.
What makes “Dare I Say It” stand out from other celebrity-authored self-help books is Watts’ willingness to share embarrassing, intimate details that most Hollywood actresses would consider career suicide. From frantically trying to scrub off a hormone patch before her first intimate encounter with now-husband Billy Crudup, to her experiences with various vaginal treatments and the indignities of UTIs and GI issues, Watts lays it all bare. There’s something revolutionary about an A-list actress discussing her “Vag of Honor” with such frankness.
Expert Insights Balanced with Personal Stories
The book strikes an effective balance between personal anecdotes and expert advice. Watts interviews numerous specialists including Dr. Sharon Malone, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Kelly Casperson, and Dr. Lisa Mosconi, weaving their knowledge through her narrative. This approach elevates the book beyond mere celebrity memoir to a genuinely useful resource.
Particularly valuable are the sections on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), where Watts carefully outlines the history of research, including the misinterpreted Women’s Health Initiative study that scared millions away from potentially beneficial treatments. She presents a nuanced view of the benefits and risks while acknowledging that decisions about hormone therapy remain deeply personal.
Each chapter ends with a helpful “Things They Really Should Tell Us About…” section that summarizes key points about topics ranging from fertility to fashion in midlife. These concise takeaways give readers practical guidance they can immediately apply.
The Courage to Counter Hollywood’s Ageism
Perhaps most impressive is Watts’ willingness to challenge Hollywood’s obsession with youth. As she notes, “Why have I always felt too young or too old but never exactly the right age?” She discusses the industry’s fear of menopausal women with refreshing candor, reflecting on how she was warned that speaking openly about menopause could end her career.
Instead of succumbing to these pressures, Watts found liberation in embracing this natural transition, eventually founding Stripes Beauty, a company focused on products and education for menopausal women. Her business venture adds credibility to her advice – she’s not just talking about menopause; she’s actively working to improve the experience for others.
Where the Book Occasionally Stumbles
While “Dare I Say It” offers tremendous value, it’s not without flaws. At times, Watts’ celebrity perspective creates a disconnect from the average reader’s experience. Her discussions of designers, high-priced skincare regimens, and working with makeup artists on film sets might feel unrelatable to many women navigating menopause without Hollywood resources.
The book also occasionally falls into the trap of trying to cover too much ground. Some sections, like those on career transitions in midlife, feel less developed than the more comprehensive chapters on symptoms and treatments. A tighter focus might have allowed for deeper exploration of fewer topics.
Additionally, while Watts makes efforts to address diversity in menopausal experiences, noting that symptoms vary across racial and ethnic backgrounds, the book primarily centers on her own experience as a white woman of means. More perspectives from women with different backgrounds would have strengthened the book’s inclusivity.
The Liberation of Midlife
Where “Dare I Say It” truly shines is in its celebration of the freedom that can come with aging. Watts articulates beautifully how shedding the need for external validation liberates women to embrace their authentic selves:
“I spent so much of my life thinking I wasn’t smart enough. I learned everything through cumulative experience and finally came to understand that real education doesn’t just come from the Ivy League. It comes from falling down and picking yourself back up a million times.”
This theme of growing into one’s power provides an uplifting counterbalance to the physical challenges of menopause. Watts convincingly argues that despite hot flashes, night sweats, and various indignities, midlife can be a time of unprecedented confidence and self-knowledge.
Practical Wisdom Worth Sharing
The most valuable aspects of the book include:
- Detailed explanations of hormone therapy options – Watts breaks down different delivery methods, dosages, and considerations with clarity that many doctors fail to provide
- Comprehensive symptom information – From the expected hot flashes to lesser-discussed issues like frozen shoulder and thinning hair
- Scripts for difficult conversations – How to discuss menopause with partners, children, and doctors
- Exercise and nutrition guidance specific to menopausal bodies
- Brain health information that connects hormonal changes to cognitive function
For women seeking specific medical information, Watts provides an extensive “Experts Rolodex” and bibliography for further reading.
Final Assessment: A Welcome Voice in the Menopause Conversation
In a world where menopause remains stigmatized despite affecting half the population, “Dare I Say It” makes a valuable contribution to changing the narrative. Watts’ warm, conversational style makes difficult topics approachable, while her research ensures the information is scientifically sound.
The book’s greatest strength is its normalizing effect. By sharing her own embarrassments, fears, and eventual triumphs, Watts creates space for readers to feel less alone in their experiences. Her vulnerability invites others to speak more openly about their own journeys.
Is it a perfect book? No. Some sections could be more developed, and Watts’ celebrity perspective occasionally limits relatability. But these shortcomings are far outweighed by the book’s strengths – its honesty, humor, and practical guidance through a transition that has been unnecessarily shrouded in shame and secrecy.
For women approaching or experiencing menopause – or anyone who loves someone navigating this transition – “Dare I Say It” offers both solidarity and solutions. In breaking her own silence, Watts has created a resource that will help countless others find their voice during this significant life transition.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Women in perimenopause or menopause seeking practical information and emotional support
- Partners of menopausal women wanting to better understand and support their loved ones
- Healthcare providers looking to gain insight into the lived experience of menopause
- Younger women who want to prepare for what’s ahead rather than being blindsided
As Watts herself puts it, “I believe we’re the last generation who will be so deprived of information.” With books like “Dare I Say It” leading the way, that prediction seems increasingly likely to come true. By daring to say what many have left unsaid, Watts has created not just a book but a beacon for those navigating the sometimes foggy path of menopause.
How It Compares to Similar Works
While celebrity-authored wellness books often lean heavily on personal anecdotes with little substantive information, “Dare I Say It” compares favorably to more research-based works like Dr. Jen Gunter’s “The Menopause Manifesto” or Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s “The New Menopause.” What Watts lacks in medical credentials, she makes up for with accessibility and emotional resonance.
Unlike previous menopause guides that often treated the transition as something to endure or overcome, Watts joins authors like Darcey Steinke (“Flash Count Diary”) and Mariella Frostrup (“Cracking the Menopause”) in reclaiming menopause as a potentially empowering transition. Her contribution stands out for its blend of Hollywood insider perspective with thoroughly researched medical information.
For women seeking both practical guidance and emotional validation during the menopausal transition, “Dare I Say It” earns its place on the bookshelf – perhaps right between the vibrator and the hormone patch, both of which Watts discusses with refreshing candidness.