Beth Stern has revealed the hidden menopause struggle she spent months trying to conceal, admitting she initially hid her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patch before deciding to wear it proudly in a bikini.
The 53-year-old model, author, and animal welfare advocate shared a glamorous mirror selfie on Instagram in a red-and-white floral bikini, showing off her toned physique while candidly opening up about the emotional shift that led her to stop worrying about whether her treatment was visible.
Her heartfelt confession quickly resonated with thousands of women, prompting an outpouring of praise from fans and celebrities who applauded her confidence and honesty.
Rather than simply posting another glamorous holiday snap, Beth transformed the bikini photo into a powerful statement about embracing menopause without shame.
Her candid words encouraged followers to rethink the stigma surrounding hormone replacement therapy, with many women saying her openness made them feel seen and less alone.
Beth Opens Up About Embracing Her HRT Patch
Standing in front of a mirror with her blonde hair swept back into a ponytail, Beth posed in the floral two-piece, revealing how her attitude towards menopause had changed over the summer.
She wrote: 'For all the women out there going through menopause... at the start of the summer, I tried to hide my patch. Now I own it and am not embarrassed if it shows when wearing a bikini.'
Beth was referring to her HRT patch, a treatment commonly used to help relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes. Although many women choose to wear the patches discreetly, Beth admitted she initially felt self-conscious, but later decided she no longer wanted to hide them.
Her post immediately struck a chord with women experiencing similar challenges, many of whom thanked her for helping to normalise conversations around menopause and body confidence.
Among those showing support was comedian Amy Schumer, who commented: 'Love this and you!'
Actress Tricia Helfer related to Beth's experience, writing: 'Yup, wear it proud! Just curious – how have you managed to not get the menopause pouch? Mine is frustrating me to no end.'
Another follower jokingly described the patch as 'the best accessory!!'
One admirer complimented the television personality, writing: 'You're so gorgeous Beth!'
Actress Leila Arcieri also joined the conversation, commenting: 'Gurl – I get it! I have the patch, but no bikini.'
Another follower marvelled at Beth's appearance, asking: 'How does anyone stay this thin during menopause?'
Others thanked Beth for speaking honestly about a topic they felt was still not discussed openly enough, with several women sharing their own experiences of learning to accept their HRT patches.
Fans Applaud Her Confidence and Honest Conversation
The overwhelming response showed that Beth's upload had become much more than a celebrity bikini selfie.
While many followers admired her toned figure and youthful appearance, others said they were even more impressed by her willingness to use her platform to discuss a deeply personal stage of life.
Several women shared stories of hiding their own HRT patches, saying Beth's post had given them the confidence to stop feeling embarrassed.
Beth, who married radio legend Howard Stern in 2008, has built a successful career beyond modelling. She is a bestselling author and a passionate animal-welfare advocate, regularly sharing updates on the rescue cats and kittens she fosters through Bianca's Furry Friends.
She has also been open about her health in the past, previously encouraging women to prioritise routine breast screenings after sharing details of a breast health scare.
In recent years, a growing number of high-profile women have helped bring menopause into mainstream conversation by speaking candidly about their experiences. Beth's latest post adds to that movement, highlighting that an HRT patch is simply part of managing a natural stage of life and should never be a source of shame.
