Selma Blair shared that she felt as though she was being gaslit since her pre-teen years. Meanwhile, Constance Zimmer was taken aback by the amount of information she lacked regarding her health after reaching 50. Both actresses, having faced significant physical hurdles, emphasized the importance of women demanding more from healthcare providers.
Blair and Zimmer recounted their personal journeys at the Flow Space Women’s Health Summit in Los Angeles on October 9. Blair opened up about her continuous battle with pain, fatigue, and neurological issues, which went undiagnosed as multiple sclerosis until 2018, when she was in her 40s. Zimmer appeared alongside writer and podcaster Heidi Clements in an informative session aimed at enlightening women about the physical and emotional shifts associated with perimenopause and menopause. The discussions were facilitated by Samantha Skey, CEO of SHE Media. (SHE Media and Variety share ownership with Penske Media Corp.)
“There’s a movement taking shape, as for the first time in history, women can openly express their struggles instead of pretending everything is perfect when it’s not,” Zimmer noted. “I entered this midlife phase last year, thrust into it without even realizing I was experiencing menopause or perimenopause. I didn’t even know the term existed.”
Zimmer increasingly found herself frustrated by the lack of fundamental information regarding this universal transition for women during such a pivotal stage in life. The ongoing secrecy surrounding menopause exacerbates the emotional turmoil that many women encounter as they navigate the end of their reproductive years.
“Menopause is determined as the 366th day without a period. I was stunned—what does that imply for what comes after and what precedes?” Zimmer commented. “Right now, it’s crucial to leverage our platforms to disseminate knowledge, not just for ourselves undergoing this journey, but also for the next generation. We need to ensure that when women arrive at this point, they are equipped for this period, something many of us weren’t, leading to the question, why was this kept hidden?”
Blair spoke in a different session, where she became emotional recounting her teenage and early adult experiences grappling with unidentified multiple sclerosis symptoms until her 40s. Her mission is to encourage women to advocate fiercely for medical clarity, given the ingrained biases they often face.
“In 2018, I received a diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS. Looking back, it seems I likely dealt with juvenile MS, as my first optical neuritis occurred around age seven, resulting in nerve damage and a lazy eye. Unfortunately, many signs were overlooked throughout my life,” Blair expressed.
Receiving the correct diagnosis came as a relief after many years of unaccounted-for pain and fatigue, which were frequently dismissed as merely “growing pains” or linked to menstruation.
“As a child, I underwent CAT scans and countless doctor visits, spending extended periods in hospitals. I suffered from fevers, persistent pain, and devastating fatigue that I still deal with. My mother often asked why an MRI was never performed, and the response was typically that I didn’t need one and was just about to start my period. Yet, if a boy from my class came in with a headache, he would immediately get an MRI. It seemed like my issues were trivialized because I appeared fine despite the constant headaches,” Blair recounted.
Blair has been open about her health struggles in recent years, not fully grasping the profound impact her honesty would have on others.
Michael Buckner
“I simply uploaded a post on Instagram to express gratitude to those on set who were assisting me in performing my job, as I couldn’t effectively use my hands or change my clothes. At times, I still grapple with dystonia, speech, and mobility, even though I’m currently relapse-free,” Blair noted. “But upon sharing, I realized that I was part of a much larger community—individuals who felt acknowledged or could relate to someone dealing with chronic health challenges. This realization provided significant comfort to many, especially given the lack of resources available about MS during that time. There was so much to learn, and I continue to learn as I navigate this condition, all while recognizing it is so much bigger than just my experience. My sharing had purpose; it felt rewarding to know I was providing comfort to others.”
Zimmer and Clements, who is recognized for advocating women’s issues and aging, recently premiered a podcast titled “Talk Fifty to Me.” Zimmer highlighted that her transition into her 50s has disregarded the stereotype that women of her age become invisible in a society that prioritizes youth and men.
“I can confidently say I have not felt invisible. In fact, I feel more empowered than ever, and those narratives are often overlooked because we can choose to fade into the background due to our lack of understanding or resources,” Zimmer explained. “When you obtain the necessary resources and start discussing menopause, hormone replacement therapy, or whatever it takes to feel whole—be it hormones or otherwise—you’re presenting yourself in the best way possible. Yet, just five years ago, women felt they lacked permission to discuss these topics. This is why women in their 50s became invisible; due to a lack of knowledge, many felt misunderstood or dismissed. Thankfully, that’s changing, and people are now listening.”
(Pictured above: Selma Blair and Samantha Skey)
