Naomi Watts knew about hot flashes and mood swings and even came to know about frozen shoulder and joint pain as she went through perimenopause and then menopause.
But there was one symptom she ignored for years because she didn’t know it was part of this change: Dry eyes.
Now the actress, who is known for her menopause advocacy, is urging women to talk to their doctors and advocate for themselves.
Watts, 57, is the co-founder of Stripes, a menopause wellness and beauty brand. She shared personal stories and talked with doctors and experts in her 2025 book “Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I Knew About Menopause.” Now she’s partnering with Johnson & Johnson to raise awareness about the importance of eye health for women in midlife.
“All I knew about menopause was what you would see on TV or in movies or in books was women go crazy and the hot flashes and mood swings,” Watts told USA TODAY. “But it’s obviously much more in depth and complex like that. It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom if you have the education.”
