Bryce Dallas Howard is opening up about a new chapter in her life. The star revealed that she is navigating perimenopause and described the experience as a surprisingly positive 'exploration'.
The 45-year-old actress spoke candidly about her health while chatting with PEOPLE at the opening-night gala for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on Saturday, 19 September.
A New Chapter in Life
Howard, who attended the event alongside her father, filmmaker and actor Ron Howard, said she is 'doing great' while navigating the transitional stage before menopause.
'That's been a new exploration for me, and it's been very, very positive,' Howard told PEOPLE. 'I'm very grateful to be part of a generation of women who are being treated.'
Howard also revealed that she is using hormones to manage symptoms associated with perimenopause. PEOPLE reports that perimenopause can last for several years and involves hormonal fluctuations as the body naturally transitions towards menopause.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one treatment option used to address certain symptoms during the menopause transition.
Her comments reflect a broader shift in how celebrities and the public discuss menopause-related health. Rather than treating the subject as something to be kept private, an increasing number of high-profile women have spoken about seeking medical support for symptoms that can include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep difficulties and changes in mood.
Howard specifically highlighted what she sees as a generational change in the way women can access information and treatment.
'There's been a generational shift, I think, that's really, really powerful', she told PEOPLE, referring to the growing willingness to seek medical advice and treatment for symptoms associated with perimenopause.
Becoming More Visible in Popular Culture
The actress's comments come as conversations around perimenopause become increasingly visible in popular culture. Other celebrities, including Gabrielle Union, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts, have previously discussed their experiences with the transition, while Melissa Rivers, Tori Spelling, Amy Schumer and Lisa Rinna have spoken publicly about hormone treatments.
Perimenopause is the period when the body begins its natural transition towards menopause. Unlike menopause itself, which is defined as having gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, perimenopause can involve fluctuating hormone levels and symptoms that vary considerably from person to person.
For Howard, however, the focus appears to be less about treating ageing as a problem and more about understanding a stage of life that previous generations of women may have struggled to discuss openly.
Retired From Talking About Her Body
The Jurassic World star has faced intense public attention surrounding her appearance and body. In a separate interview, Howard said she had 'retired' from talking about her body, making her decision to discuss perimenopause particularly notable.
Away from the health conversation, Howard also gave PEOPLE an update on her family. She said her children, son Theodore, 19, and daughter Beatrice, 14, whom she shares with husband Seth Gabel, are 'doing great'.
Howard remains active in both acting and directing. She most recently starred in the 2025 film Deep Cover and appeared in Argylle in 2024. She is also set to appear in the forthcoming horror comedy Anything But Ghosts, alongside Aaron Paul, which is scheduled for 2027.
By speaking openly about her own experience, Howard is adding her voice to a conversation that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore — one where midlife health is being discussed as a normal part of life rather than something women should quietly endure.
