Even Hollywood icons aren’t immune to life’s toughest challenges.
Reese Witherspoon, 49, has spoken candidly about her personal struggles with postnatal depression in her early twenties and the symptoms of menopause as she entered her late forties.
The Oscar-winning actress, soon to receive the Cultural Icon award at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2025, shared her experiences in the magazine’s December/January issue.
Battling Postnatal Depression as a Young Mom
Reese reflected on the period following the birth of her first child, Ava, now 26, with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe.
She described the early months as emotionally overwhelming: “It was really bad.
In the first six months, I was simultaneously happy and depressed. I just cried all the time, I was up all night, I was exhausted.”
She explained that hormone fluctuations both after birth and when she stopped nursing compounded her struggles.
Feeling pressure to keep her challenges private, Reese admitted, “Everyone has an opinion.
It’s hard being a young mom and having people tell you how to be, how to react, how to give birth, how to nurse and how to feed your baby.
It’s inundating.” She emphasized that while she had the resources to access mental health support, many women struggle silently without the same opportunities.
Experiencing Menopause in the Public Eye
Reese also discussed her journey through menopause, sharing how brain fog and memory lapses have impacted her daily life.
She praised fellow actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts for speaking openly about their experiences, normalizing conversations around the often-taboo topic. “I’ll say the wrong word or the wrong name with extreme confidence.
We all go through it and have to be patient with each other,” she said.
Paltrow, 53, has long championed menopause awareness through her wellness brand Goop, while Watts, 56, launched Stripes, offering skincare, body care, hair care, and supplements for menopausal women.
Naomi also released a book earlier this year detailing her personal experiences, challenging Hollywood’s stigma around aging women.
Understanding Menopause
Menopause marks the end of natural fertility, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55, caused by a decline in oestrogen levels.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including hot flushes, sleep difficulties, mood swings, and cognitive changes.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the main treatment for alleviating symptoms, which can significantly disrupt daily life for some women.
Parenthood Then and Now
Reese reflected on her evolution as a mother, comparing her approach to raising her youngest son, Tennessee, 12, with her older children, Ava and Deacon, 21.
She admitted to taking a calmer, more measured approach: “Whenever I lose my cool, I turn to my youngest and I go, ‘You got to call your brother and sister.
They wore me out. I’m so tired.’ I’ve been parenting for 25 years.”
She also shared advice for her eldest, Ava, who is now pursuing her own acting career.
Reese expressed pride in Ava’s individuality, saying, “She’s just cool.
She’s not trying to emulate me. She’s not needy. I’m just really proud of who she’s become as an individual.”
Using Her Platform to Support Women
By opening up about her experiences with postnatal depression and menopause, Reese aims to break the silence and empower women to talk about their own journeys.
Her insights highlight the importance of mental health awareness and the shared challenges women face, whether as mothers, professionals, or individuals navigating life transitions.
The December/January issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, featuring Reese Witherspoon, is on sale from 7 November.