Embracing the Change: Hilarie Burton Advocates for Open Conversations About Aging and Menopause

As we age, our bodies undergo a series of transformations that can often be challenging to navigate. For many women, these changes become particularly pronounced during the perimenopausal phase. Recently, actress and advocate Hilarie Burton took a bold step forward in fostering dialogue about these natural transitions in life, emphasizing the importance of openness regarding the bodily changes that accompany aging. In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, she shared her experiences, her family dynamics, and her partnership with Olly, a wellness brand, to promote their Mellow Menopause supplements.

Destigmatizing Menopause and Aging

Hilarie Burton, known for her role in One Tree Hill, is on a mission. At 42, she has begun to experience the hormonal shifts associated with perimenopause, a transition that often triggers feelings of fear or uncertainty in women unprepared for it. Burton stresses that traditional conversations surrounding menopause have often been shrouded in stigma, often relegated to nothing more than punchlines in jokes. “Menopause has always been the punchline to a joke about women, and that’s bulls—,” she remarked, challenging the outdated narratives that have historically overshadowed the realities of women’s health.

Her platform seeks to dismantle these taboos around menopause. “My job is to make it so common that not only are people anticipating menopause, but they’re supporting it in the workplace, in the home, whether it’s in your spouse relationship or with your kids,” she stated. This conscious effort to foster a supportive environment can have far-reaching impacts on generational attitudes toward menopause and aging.

Engaging the Next Generation

In her commitment to openness, Burton has taken it upon herself to discuss these often-avoided subjects with her children—Augustus "Gus," 14, and George, 6. By including them in conversations about hormone changes, she aims to normalize the subject for the future generation. “Being a mother, it is really important. We get to raise a whole new generation of kids that are talking about it from the jump. It’s not some secret that they learn decades into their life,” she explained.

Gus, in high school and dealing with his own hormonal changes, offered an opportunity for connection when he expressed his worries. Burton eloquently framed her experience as reflective of his own: “I was like, ‘My guy, it’s not real. This is your body having a chemical reaction that is making it feel bigger than it is.’” This simple act of verbalizing shared struggles created a bridge of understanding between mother and son, fostering empathy and awareness.

Building Supportive Relationships

Burton’s advocacy doesn’t end with her children; it extends to her relationships with partners and friends. She underlines the importance of communication within personal relationships, encouraging women to express their needs, especially during challenging times. “I think we all are a little more gentle with each other when we know, ‘Hey, my cycle’s being really weird. Be gentle with me,” she shared, emphasizing the value of mutual understanding.

She also discusses breaking down barriers around conversations about periods, affirming, “I talk about periods with both my kids!” Sharing her perspective, she referred to a local controversy where feminine hygiene products were made available in boys’ bathrooms. Her viewpoint highlighted the necessity of educating young boys about these normal biological functions to help dismantle long-standing taboos.

Redefining Age and Confidence

Hilarie Burton embraces her journey through aging, particularly as she navigates the realities of gray hair and menopause. She remembers the misconceptions surrounding menopause that suggested it was an endpoint rather than a natural phase of a woman’s life. “I think the misconceptions were that you don’t go into menopause until you are an old, old woman. That was certainly the conception when I was young,” she noted.

The reality of experiencing hot flashes and night sweats began early for Burton—“in my late thirties,” she recalled—leading her to reach out to friends for support. She discovered they, too, were experiencing similar symptoms, yet no one was discussing these shared experiences. This mutual silence perpetuated the myth that younger women are not affected by menopause, a notion Burton seeks to uproot.

The Power of Honesty and Community Support

By encouraging candid discussions about the physical changes women face, Burton posits that women can garner more significant understanding and support from their communities. “If we are open about our basic human functions, from periods to perimenopause, I think not only will we receive more care, but we’ll receive more support from our communities,” she concludes.

Burton’s initiative represents more than just personal advocacy; it is a rallying cry for women to reclaim the narrative around aging and women’s health. Through her openness and efforts to engage both her family and broader society in these conversations, she is carving a path toward a future where aging is celebrated, and the struggles women face are acknowledged, understood, and embraced.

In a world where discussions about aging and menopause can feel isolating, Hilarie Burton’s candid approach serves as a beacon for many—reminding us that we are not alone and that community support is paramount in navigating the complexities of womanhood.